Investigating immune cell behavior in early Type 1 Diabetes
Official title: Clonal expansion: a marker of disease activity in stage 1 T1D
Funded at Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason · NIH-10975296 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells behave in the early stages of Type 1 Diabetes to see if their growth can help us understand the disease better before it harms insulin-producing cells, and it's for people who have just started showing signs of this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,273,578 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK140792-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10975296 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with stage 1 Type 1 Diabetes who have detectable islet-specific autoantibodies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes or those in later stages of the disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how specific immune cells, particularly T and B cells, behave in the early stages of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). It aims to identify whether the clonal expansion of these cells can serve as a reliable marker for disease activity before significant damage to insulin-producing beta cells occurs. By analyzing samples from individuals with stage 1 T1D, the study will compare those with stable versus variable autoantibody levels to determine the relationship between immune cell activity and disease progression. This approach utilizes advanced techniques in cellular immunology to provide insights into the early mechanisms of T1D.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier detection and intervention strategies for individuals at risk of developing Type 1 Diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using immune cell markers to predict disease progression in autoimmune conditions, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Long, S Alice — Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason
- Study coordinator: Long, S Alice
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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.