Identification and testing of novel targets to improve cell-based immunotherapy for diabetes

Like a vast army of soldiers standing guard, cells of the immune system remain ready to destroy diseased cells and defend the body from virus and other invaders. These soldier cells normally leave healthy cells alone, however, because the immune cells are tightly controlled by special agents called regulatory T cells, or Treg cells. In autoimmune diseases, Treg cells lose their authority, so the pathogenic immune cells (Tpath cells) begin attacking healthy tissues. For type 1 diabetes, the Tpath cells attack target pancreatic islet cells that produce insulin, which helps the body turn sugar from food into energy. The resulting build-up of sugar in the blood can be lethal and lead to severe and life-threatening complications.

The main purpose of our study has been to determine if (1) we can improve the function of Treg cells, (2) novel methods and genes can be identified to suppress Tpath cells causing diabetes, and (3) functional Treg cells can be isolated and expanded to clinically-relevant level from human blood for diabetes treatment. These studies will help us achieve our ultimate goals in that we can translate our novel findings to the clinics and examine whether we can use autologous human Treg cells to inhibit type 1 diabetes and prevent islet grafts rejection in patients.

Chih-Pin Liu, Ph.D.
Professor
626-256-HOPE (4673),
ext. 63455

Weiting Du, Ph.D.
Research Fellow
626-256-HOPE (4673),
ext. 63427

Jiangying Shen, Ph.D.
Research Fellow
626-256-HOPE (4673),
ext. 60373

Ding Wang, Ph.D.
Research Fellow
626-256-HOPE (4673),
ext. 65254

Wenhui Lee, M.S.
Senior Research Associate
Research Associate
626-256-HOPE (4673),
ext. 65525

Yueh-Wei Shen
Research Associate II
626-256-HOPE (4673),
ext. 65520