How the Immune System Causes Type 1 Diabetes
Project 3
This project aims to understand how the body's own immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in people with Type 1 Diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11091588 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our immune system usually protects us from illness, but sometimes it can turn against our own body, leading to conditions like Type 1 Diabetes. This project looks closely at how certain genetic factors and inflammatory events can break down the immune system's ability to tolerate its own tissues. We are particularly interested in how specific genes, such as HLA-DR4, influence immune cells called T cells and their role in developing Type 1 Diabetes. Our early findings suggest that people with Type 1 Diabetes and certain genetic risks have unique immune cell patterns. By exploring these connections, we hope to uncover why the immune system loses its ability to tolerate healthy cells.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with Type 1 Diabetes, especially those with specific genetic markers like HLA-DR4, could potentially benefit from future treatments developed from this research.
Not a fit: Patients without Type 1 Diabetes or related autoimmune conditions may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat Type 1 Diabetes by targeting specific immune system pathways.
How similar studies have performed: While the general role of the immune system in Type 1 Diabetes is known, this project explores specific genetic and cellular mechanisms in a novel way.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brusko, Todd Michael — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Brusko, Todd Michael
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.