Type 1 diabetes (T1D), which results from autoimmunity directed against insulin-producing islet cells, has devastating effects on health and quality of life. In this application we propose to investigate the role of an important new subpopulation of CD8 T cells in new-onset diabetes patients. This population is defined by expression of the IL-18 receptor (IL-18R) and contains cells with both innate and effector features. The goal of this application is to understand the role of this IL-18R-positive CD8 T cell subpopulation in human T1D. This work is important for several reasons. First, this expanded and unique T cell subpopulation has never been described in circulating leukocytes of new-onset human Type 1 diabetics. Second, IL-18 and its receptor are risk factors for autoimmune diseases, indicating that these factors may induce autoimmune reactions related to type 1 diabetes. Third, the IL-18 binding protein has been evaluated for its use in clinical trials for rheumatoid arthritis, and the work described here could provide the basis for clinical trials with the binding protein in diabetes patients. Fourth, the presence of this specific cell population could be developed as a surrogate marker for disease susceptibility and identify patients who would respond positively to treatment with the binding protein. Fifth, our results will provide critical """"""""proof of concept"""""""" data on the activation and pathogenicity of this cell population in human diabetes. Sixth, these investigations will uncover the role of circulating factors that stimulate or inhibit the pathogenic potential of this cell population. Therefore, our approach will provide novel findings facilitating clinical trials blocking the IL-18R pathway in new-onset diabetes patients.

Public Health Relevance

Type1 diabetes has devastating effects on the health and quality of life of those affected. We have recently obtained data suggesting that an immune cell population expressing the interleukin 18 receptor (IL-18R) is important in precipitating the onset of autoimmune diabetes. The work proposed in the application will test the role of the IL-18R expressing cells in this disease and will provide a new model for understanding the mechanism of diabetes development in humans. This work will open new avenues for the prevention and treatment of human type 1 diabetes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project--Cooperative Agreements (U01)
Project #
5U01AI102012-03
Application #
8681355
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAI1)
Program Officer
Esch, Thomas R
Project Start
2012-07-01
Project End
2017-06-30
Budget Start
2014-07-01
Budget End
2015-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Department
Surgery
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Omaha
State
NE
Country
United States
Zip Code
68198
Harms, Robert Z; Lorenzo-Arteaga, Kristina M; Ostlund, Katie R et al. (2018) Abnormal T Cell Frequencies, Including Cytomegalovirus-Associated Expansions, Distinguish Seroconverted Subjects at Risk for Type 1 Diabetes. Front Immunol 9:2332
Harms, Robert Z; Creer, Austin J; Lorenzo-Arteaga, Kristina M et al. (2017) Interleukin (IL)-18 Binding Protein Deficiency Disrupts Natural Killer Cell Maturation and Diminishes Circulating IL-18. Front Immunol 8:1020
Mir, Shakeel U R; George, Nicholas M; Zahoor, Lubna et al. (2015) Inhibition of autophagic turnover in ?-cells by fatty acids and glucose leads to apoptotic cell death. J Biol Chem 290:6071-85
Harms, Robert Z; Lorenzo, Kristina M; Corley, Kevin P et al. (2015) Altered CD161 bright CD8+ mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT)-like cell dynamics and increased differentiation states among juvenile type 1 diabetics. PLoS One 10:e0117335
Harms, Robert Z; Yarde, Danielle N; Guinn, Zachary et al. (2015) Increased expression of IL-18 in the serum and islets of type 1 diabetics. Mol Immunol 64:306-312
Boerner, Brian P; George, Nicholas M; Mir, Shakeel U R et al. (2015) WS6 induces both alpha and beta cell proliferation without affecting differentiation or viability. Endocr J 62:379-86
Yarde, Danielle N; Lorenzo-Arteaga, Kristina; Corley, Kevin P et al. (2014) CD28? CD8? T cells are significantly reduced and correlate with disease duration in juveniles with type 1 diabetes. Hum Immunol 75:1069-74