How immune T cells interact with insulin-making beta cells in type 1 diabetes
Biophysical parameters of self-reactive TCR engagement in T1D
They are measuring how strongly and how long immune T cells bind to proteins from insulin-producing beta cells in people with or at risk for type 1 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11285488 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use sensitive laboratory tools to measure the binding strength, bond lifetime, and mechanical force between T cell receptors and beta-cell proteins. They will compare these biophysical parameters when the proteins are presented by autoimmune-prone MHC molecules versus non-autoimmune MHC molecules. Some experiments use human-derived T cell receptors and beta-cell antigens to model human immune responses in the lab. The work aims to reveal physical differences in T cell recognition that may explain why autoimmunity develops in type 1 diabetes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with type 1 diabetes or individuals at high risk (for example, with autoantibodies or family history) who can provide blood samples for immune-cell studies.
Not a fit: Because this is laboratory-focused mechanistic research, people seeking an immediate new treatment are unlikely to benefit directly in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could clarify why immune cells attack insulin-producing cells and point to new strategies to prevent or better control type 1 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies, including the investigators' own work, have shown biophysical differences in T cell interactions that support this approach, though translating these findings into therapies is still limited.
Where this research is happening
Salt Lake City, United States
- Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah — Salt Lake City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bettini, Maria — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Bettini, Maria
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.