Aaron Michels, MD

Vaccine for Type 1 Diabetes

This project aims to develop a personalized insulin-based vaccine to treat Type 1 diabetes (T1D) by activating regulatory T cells in patients with the HLA gene DQ8. Researchers have identified a specific mimotope peptide in the insulin B chain that activates regulatory T cells when tested on at-risk and new-onset T1D patients' blood samples. The project includes three milestones: identifying mimotope sequences to target other T1D-risk HLA molecules, testing various delivery systems using animal models, and conducting essential preclinical studies in a spontaneous autoimmune diabetes model. If successful, the goal is to advance the treatment to genetically selected T1D patients through clinical testing and potentially explore similar approaches for other autoimmune diseases. Collaborator: Peter Gottlieb, MD

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