The investigators have previously demonstrated that co-transplantation of syngeneic muscle cells genetically engineered to express Fas-L and pancreatic islets can prolong islet allograft survival. They now plan to extend these studies in three areas. First, they plan to test different promoters and enhancers to prolong expression of Fas-L in vivo. Second, they will test the hypothesis that pro-apoptotic signals such as Fas-L and TNF-( can be co-expressed in muscle islet composite grafts. Third, they will test whether pro-apoptotic signals can protect an islet allograft from autoimmune and alloimmune destruction in a murine model of spontaneous diabetes. Fourth, evolution of diabetes will be prevented by locally protecting islets with Fas-L.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01DK052812-01
Application #
2372426
Study Section
Surgery, Anesthesiology and Trauma Study Section (SAT)
Program Officer
Harmon, Joan T
Project Start
1997-09-15
Project End
2001-08-31
Budget Start
1997-09-15
Budget End
1998-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
045911138
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21218