Understanding how immune cells become exhausted in Type 1 Diabetes

Defining mechanisms of CD8 T cell exhaustion in T1D

NIH-funded research Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason · NIH-10796940

This study is looking at how certain immune cells get tired out in people with Type 1 Diabetes and how a specific signaling pathway might affect this, with the hope of finding better ways to treat the condition.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBenaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-10796940 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the mechanisms behind CD8 T cell exhaustion in individuals with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells. The study focuses on the role of the IL-2/IL-15 signaling pathway in T1D, examining how variations in this pathway affect the behavior of immune cells. By analyzing blood samples from T1D patients, researchers aim to identify factors that contribute to immune cell exhaustion and how this impacts disease progression and response to treatments. The goal is to uncover insights that could lead to improved therapies for managing T1D.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes who are experiencing varying rates of disease progression.

Not a fit: Patients with Type 1 Diabetes who are not recently diagnosed or those with advanced disease may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for enhancing immune function and slowing the progression of Type 1 Diabetes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune cell behavior in chronic conditions, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights for T1D.

Where this research is happening

Seattle, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions autoimmune disorderautoimmunity diseaseAutoimmune DiseasesCancersneoplasm/cancer
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.