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Endocrinology |
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Basic and Translational Research Transfer of Autoimmune Diabetes from Humans to Transgenic Mice. This study seeks to understand the immune effector mechanisms by which activated immune cells, which normally protect the body from infection, attack pancreatic beta cells, and to establish a model system in which new potential therapies can be evaluated prior to designing clinical trials in humans. This project fills a major gap between animal models and human clinical trials, focusing on type 1 diabetes. We are using “NSG-A2” mice that lack immune cells of their own, and express a human leukocyte antigen (HLA-A2) that allows transplanted human immune cells to interact with the host (mouse) cells. We are transplanting these mice with human white blood cells. When these cells come from people with type 1 diabetes are transferred to these mice, the human lymphocytes home to the pancreatic islets, replicating the inflammation (insulitis) that leads to type 1 diabetes. We are completing validation of this model and then use it to test the effects of depleting or expanding specific types of immune cells on potential therapies. While this application is examining type 1 diabetes as an initial therapeutic target, it is important to note that this platform can be expanded to study a wide variety autoimmune diseases.
For the past 15 years, the Father’s Day Council Tucson (FDC) has supported improving the lives of children with type 1 diabetes. Now, the FDC has made an ambitious commitment by establishing the Father’s Day Council Tucson Endowed Chair for Type 1 Diabetes. They have committed to raise $1 million by their 20th anniversary. Already, FDC has raised more than $600,000. The endowed chair will support type 1 diabetes training programs for medical students, residents, and fellows. In addition, post-doctoral fellows and graduate student researchers will receive support for their type 1 diabetes studies. And the endowment will enhance existing clinical programs and services at the Steele Center’s Angel Wing for Children with Diabetes.
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