Mass Cytometry Immune Profiling of T1D Patients

Mass Cytometry Immune Profiling of T1D Patients

Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

10-2-2019

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is an autoimmune condition in which pancreatic islet cells are mistaken for foreign invaders and killed by T cells. B lymphocytes present autoantigens to T lymphocytes, activating them. Islet cells are responsible for the production of insulin, which is used to maintain glucose homeostasis. Hence, those with T1D present with severe hyperglycemia accompanied by polydipsia, polyphagia, and polyuria at diagnosis. The condition is chronic and incurable, affecting over 1.25 million Americans. If the condition is not well managed, patients face complications such as blindness, amputation, diabetic neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease. Currently, there is limited understanding of the risk for onset of T1D and the development of the disorder. We hypothesize that there are differences in the frequency and activation status of autoimmune-prone B and T lymphocyte subsets present in T1D patients, and that these can be identified among recirculating peripheral blood monocytes. Our goal is to compare the circulating immune profiles of T1D patients to healthy controls using mass cytometry in conjunction with cutting-edge unsupervised analysis algorithms to establish each patient’s immunophenotype. Populations and frequencies of live white blood cells in patients with T1D from the T1D Exchange living biobank (n=29) will be analyzed in comparison to healthy donors (n=9). The analysis of the differences in immunophenotype in those with T1D aims to elucidate potential pharmacological targets to implement mechanisms for the prevention of T1D.

Project Mentor

Dr. Peggy Kendall

Funding and Acknowledgements

Funding: Vanderbilt University Summer Diabetes Research Program

Mass Cytometry Immune Profiling of T1D Patients

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