Stem cell model to speed new treatments for type 1 diabetes
Stem cell-based modeling of type 1 diabetes to accelerate translation of therapies
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · NIH-11251980
Researchers are building lab and humanized mouse models that combine stem cell-derived insulin-producing cells and immune cells to help develop better treatments for people with type 1 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11251980 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From my point of view, the team will grow insulin-making cells (islets) from stem cells and add different immune cells to recreate the autoimmune attack seen in type 1 diabetes. They will optimize making islets and macrophages from the same stem cell line, pick the right T cell receptors to engineer attacking T cells, and choose mouse strains to assemble the system in vivo. The work uses both lab dish experiments and 'humanized' mouse models to study how human immune cells reject beta cells. All of this aims to make preclinical tests that predict human responses more accurately so therapies can move to patients faster.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with type 1 diabetes who are willing to donate blood or tissue samples or who want to be considered for future translational studies would be the most relevant participants.
Not a fit: People without type 1 diabetes or those seeking immediate personal treatment improvement should not expect direct clinical benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could speed safer, more effective treatments to people with type 1 diabetes by providing better preclinical models that mirror the human disease.
How similar studies have performed: Related stem cell-derived islet and humanized mouse models have already shown promise in reproducing immune rejection, but integrating multiple human immune cell types and matched stem cell-derived components is a newer, less-tested advance.
Where this research is happening
SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO — SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: PARENT, AUDREY — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- Study coordinator: PARENT, AUDREY
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, Autoimmune Diseases