About This Project

Type 1 Diabetes develops when CD4+ T cells aren't taught to differentiate between self-antigens and foreign antigens during their maturation in the thymus. As a result, they mediate the destruction of the body's own insulin-producing beta cells. T Cell Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase (TCPTP) is an enzyme that has been shown to deplete T cell proliferation and antigen expression in vitro. If a vaccine can be created using CD4+ T cells attenuated with TCPTP, then, upon inoculation, the body will recognize these weakened T cells and initiate apoptosis of circulating autoreactive CD4+ T cells.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

CD4+ T cells have been shown to mediate the autoimmune process in Type 1 Diabetes. If the immune system of a T1D patient could learn to differentiate between normal T cells and autoimmune T cells, theoretically, it should induce apoptosis of all autoimmune T cells in the body and stop the self-destruction of beta cells. In previous T cell vaccine research, patients with Multiple Sclerosis (an autoimmune disease similar to T1D in terms of pathogenesis) were inoculated with 3 rounds of a T cell vaccine. All patients experienced a reduction in circulating autoreactive T cells, and only one patient experienced a single relapse.

What is the significance of this project?

Pancreatic islet transplantation is an experimental procedure in which donor beta cell-containing islets of Langerhans are transfused into the portal vein of the recipient's liver via a catheter inserted through a small incision in the abdomen. As a result, the patients are able to produce their own insulin. However, these effects usually only last 1-2 years at most, as the autoreactive T cells that caused the disease in the first place come back and destroy the new beta cells. If a vaccine to rid the body of these autoreactive T cells could be administered in conjunction with this procedure, theoretically, it would result in a complete cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

What are the goals of the project?

My immediate goal is to receive donations to fund my project. Once I am able to purchase the materials, I intend to create a T cell vaccine for Type 1 Diabetes by isolating CD4+ T cells from diabetic peripheral mononuclear blood cells. Next, I intend to expand my sample size (to reduce error) by growing them on a T cell media. These T cells will then be treated with TCPTP to attenuate their autoreactivity and ability to proliferate in vivo. The next step would be to begin Phase I clinical trials, however, as a high school student, I lack the medical credentials required to legally do this. Nevertheless, I intend to continue my research in college and medical school.