DRC & Research News

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Biochemistry Biology Blue

Antibody-Drug Conjugate May Help Reduce Allograft Rejection.

Cell transplantation has been an area of focus in developing treatment for type 1 diabetes. Many studies have examined both autologous and allogeneic transplants and the benefits and risks they provide. A major challenge continues to be rejection and the body’s destruction of these cells, whether initially derived from its own cells or not.

However, a recent study found that an anti-CD103 antibody-drug conjugate (M290-MC-MMAF) may reduce pancreatic islet allograft rejection in mice. This drug decreased the amount of CD103+CD8+ effector T cells while at the same time increasing the amount of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells. This balance led to improved survival rate of the allograft and supported immunosuppression without causing systemic toxicity. When CD103+CD8+ levels were increased, allograft rejection quickly followed.

While this study has only been conducted in mouse models, it shows potential for pancreatic islet allografts in treating type 1 diabetes. Further research is necessary to determine how this process translates to human cells. M290-MC-MMAF could eventually be used as a therapeutic intervention to reduce risk of allograft rejection in humans.

Diabetes Research Connection (DRC), though not involved in this study, stays abreast of the latest discoveries in the field and supports early career scientists in pursuing novel, peer-reviewed research projects related to type 1 diabetes. Scientists receive funding that is critical to conducting research and improving the diagnosis, treatment, and management of the disease and one day finding a cure. To learn more about current projects and how to support these efforts, visit http://diabetesresearchconnection.org.

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OUR PROJECTS

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Role of the integrated stress response in type 1 diabetes pathogenesis
In individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D), the insulin-producing beta cells are spontaneously destroyed by their own immune system. The trigger that provokes the immune system to destroy the beta cells is unknown. However, accumulating evidence suggest that signals are perhaps first sent out by the stressed beta cells that eventually attracts the immune cells. Stressed cells adapt different stress mitigation systems as an adaptive response. However, when these adaptive responses go awry, it results in cell death. One of the stress response mechanisms, namely the integrated stress response (ISR) is activated under a variety of stressful stimuli to promote cell survival. However, when ISR is chronically activated, it can be damaging to the cells and can lead to cell death. The role of the ISR in the context of T1D is unknown. Therefore, in this DRC funded study, we propose to study the ISR in the beta cells to determine its role in propagating T1D.
Wearable Skin Fluorescence Imaging Patch for the Detection of Blood Glucose Level on an Engineered Skin Platform
zhang
A Potential Second Cure for T1D by Re-Educating the Patient’s Immune System
L Ferreira
Validating the Hypothesis to Cure T1D by Eliminating the Rejection of Cells From Another Person by Farming Beta Cells From a Patient’s Own Stem Cells
Han Zhu
Taming a Particularly Lethal Category of Cells May Reduce/Eliminate the Onset of T1D
JRDwyer 2022 Lab 1
Can the Inhibition of One Specific Body Gene Prevent Type 1 Diabetes?
Melanie
Is Cholesterol Exacerbating T1D by Reducing the Functionality and Regeneration Ability of Residual Beta Cells?
Regeneration Ability of Residual Beta Cells
A Call to Question… Is T1D Caused by Dysfunctionality of Two Pancreatic Cells (β and α)?
Xin Tong
Novel therapy initiative with potential path to preventing T1D by targeting TWO components of T1D development (autoimmune response and beta-cell survival)
flavia pecanha