Why immune T cells keep attacking in autoimmune diabetes
Mechanisms of T cell persistence during chronic autoimmunity
['FUNDING_R01'] · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · NIH-11223319
Researchers are looking at how different types of T cells survive and continue attacking insulin-producing cells in people with type 1 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SALT LAKE CITY, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11223319 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project studies why self-reactive T cells persist in the pancreas during long-term autoimmune diabetes, using a well-established mouse model and comparisons to human diabetes findings. Investigators are tracking T cell populations that differ by antigen affinity, stem-like properties, and effector function to see which cells renew locally versus arrive from the blood. They combine T cell receptor analysis, functional tests, and markers of exhaustion and differentiation to map which cells maintain the autoimmune response. Results aim to explain why some T cells resist regulatory mechanisms and how that links to responses seen with therapies like anti-CD3.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with type 1 diabetes or those at high risk for type 1 diabetes would be the patient groups most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: People with type 2 diabetes or other non-autoimmune forms of diabetes are unlikely to directly benefit from the findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to reduce or redirect the T cells that drive type 1 diabetes, potentially improving treatments that preserve insulin-producing beta cells.
How similar studies have performed: Related studies have shown that markers of T cell exhaustion link to remission and better responses to anti-CD3 therapy, but the specific mechanisms of persistent autoimmune T cells remain novel and incompletely proven.
Where this research is happening
SALT LAKE CITY, UNITED STATES
- UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH — SALT LAKE CITY, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BETTINI, MARIA — UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- Study coordinator: BETTINI, MARIA
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