The primary mediators of beta cell destruction in Type 1 diabetes (T1D) are CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Currently, there is a need for strategies that effectively suppress established beta cell-specific T cell reactivity in diabetics in order to reverse T1D, and rescue residual beta cell mass. The current proposal investigates the use of CD4 and CD8 co-receptor blockade to suppress ongoing beta cell autoimmunity in diabetic NOD mice. For this purpose, the nondepleting anti-CD4 and -CD8 monoclonal antibodies YTS177.9 and YTS105, respectively, will be employed. Preliminary data demonstrate that application of a short course of YTS177.9 and YTS105 results in reversal of hyperglycemia and long-term remission in recent onset diabetic NOD mice. As expected, both YTS177.9 and YTS105 have direct effects on beta cell-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell reactivity. Surprisingly, YTS105 also mediates protection via a mechanism involving CD11c+CD8a+ dendritic cells that indirectly affects CD4+ and CD8+ T cell pathogenicity. Herein, we propose to further investigate the novel and robust effects of YTS177.9 and YTS105 in suppressing established beta cell autoimmunity in diabetic NOD mice.
Specific Aim 1 will focus on defining at the cellular level mechanisms by which YTS177.9 and YTS105 directly and indirectly influence beta cell-specific T cell reactivity.
Specific Aim 2 will identify the key events driving diabetes remission in recent onset diabetic mice.

Public Health Relevance

The goal of this proposal is to block autoimmunity associated with type 1 diabetes and reverse clinical disease. Our approach makes use of two sets of antibodies that selectively bind to T lymphocytes and alter their function. Preliminary results indicate that this is a highly effective approach to induce remission in recent onset diabetic NOD mice. Accordingly, experiments will be carried out to assess the mechanisms of protection and the therapeutic value of these antibodies.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DK081585-02
Application #
7840514
Study Section
Hypersensitivity, Autoimmune, and Immune-mediated Diseases Study Section (HAI)
Program Officer
Akolkar, Beena
Project Start
2009-05-10
Project End
2013-03-31
Budget Start
2010-04-01
Budget End
2011-03-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$291,432
Indirect Cost
Name
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
608195277
City
Chapel Hill
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27599
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He, Yi; Weinberg, Marc S; Hirsch, Matt et al. (2013) Kinetics of adeno-associated virus serotype 2 (AAV2) and AAV8 capsid antigen presentation in vivo are identical. Hum Gene Ther 24:545-53
Yi, Zuoan; Diz, Ramiro; Martin, Aaron J et al. (2012) Long-term remission of diabetes in NOD mice is induced by nondepleting anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 antibodies. Diabetes 61:2871-80
Goudy, Kevin S; Johnson, Mark C; Garland, Alaina et al. (2011) Inducible adeno-associated virus-mediated IL-2 gene therapy prevents autoimmune diabetes. J Immunol 186:3779-86
Johnson, Mark C; Wang, Bo; Tisch, Roland (2011) Genetic vaccination for re-establishing T-cell tolerance in type 1 diabetes. Hum Vaccin 7:27-36