Understanding how regulatory T cells work in type 1 diabetes by studying expanded Tregs in teens
Official title: Exploring in vivo Treg function in T1D through the lens of expanded Tregs
Funded at Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason · NIH-11376787 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how a patient’s own regulatory T cells behave in type 1 diabetes to find ways that could help protect insulin-producing cells.
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 | June 11, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $894,183 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI193642-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11376787 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adolescents diagnosed with type 1 diabetes who have received autologous expanded Treg treatment in prior or related studies may be suitable for further investigation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing Treg-based interventions or without related biomarkers may see limited or no direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will examine how autologous, in vitro expanded regulatory T cells function in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. By analyzing correlations between Treg expansion, gene signatures, and preservation of insulin secretion over time, the study aims to uncover features that influence treatment outcomes. The work builds on prior findings from the Sanford T-rex study to identify biological markers that could guide future therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could inform personalized Treg-based therapies to better preserve beta cell function in youths with type 1 diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous findings linked Treg expansion and gene signatures to beta cell preservation, suggesting potential for meaningful progress with similar approaches.
Where this research is happening
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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
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.