Pancreatic macrophages that clear dying insulin cells
Autoimmune Diabetes: Macrophage Responses
['FUNDING_R01'] · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · NIH-11259460
Looks at whether improving how macrophages in the pancreas clear dying insulin-producing cells can reduce autoimmune attack in people at risk for type 1 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11259460 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you take part, researchers will study a natural 'cleanup' program used by immune cells (macrophages) inside the insulin-producing islets to remove dying beta cells and reduce inflammation. They will examine these macrophages in mice and in human tissue or blood samples to learn how efferocytosis works in people prone to type 1 diabetes. The team will measure inflammatory signals, macrophage behavior, and beta cell survival and will test ways to boost efferocytosis to see if it can prevent or limit autoimmune damage. The findings could point to new anti-inflammatory approaches that strengthen this natural brake on autoimmunity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people at risk for type 1 diabetes (for example those with diabetes-related autoantibodies or recent-onset disease) or people willing to provide blood or tissue samples for research.
Not a fit: People without autoimmune diabetes or those with long-standing type 1 diabetes and no remaining insulin-producing beta cells are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to therapies that boost the pancreas's natural anti-inflammatory cleanup and help prevent or delay type 1 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical lab and animal studies have shown that enhancing efferocytosis can reduce inflammation, but applying this approach to prevent or treat type 1 diabetes in people remains experimental.
Where this research is happening
SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES
- WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY — SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: WAN, XIAOXIAO — WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: WAN, XIAOXIAO
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.
Conditions: Autoimmune Diabetes