One of the toughest challenges in halting or reversing the autoimmune process that destroys beta cells and causes type 1 diabetes is doing so in a way that does not compromise a person’s entire immune system. Antigen-specific immune therapy research, which targets only a specific part of the immune system, is a key part of Breakthrough T1D’s strategy to cure T1D. Results from a recent study involving an animal model of multiple sclerosis have confirmed that using nanoparticles may represent an exciting and relatively new approach to antigen-specific immune therapies that could help stop the autoimmune process for people with various autoimmune diseases, including T1D.
The research by Dr. Stephen Miller and his colleagues at Northwestern University involves the use of a nanoparticle-based immune therapy as a treatment for the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis (MS). In this research, the investigators used biodegradable nanoparticles containing MS-related antigen components to reset the immune system balance and create immune tolerance in an animal model of MS. Breakthrough T1D provided partial support for this work because of its relevance to T1D immune therapies.
The use of nanoparticles”“ very small packages as a way to deliver components that trigger the immune system ““ appears to have the ability to effectively mimic the natural immune system tolerance processes. Such nanoparticles allow the delivery of multiple important triggers of immune tolerance, should minimize side effects by being more specific to T1D, and allow better control of the production of the particles to specifically modify the immune response. While this research has so far only been conducted in mice, if successfully applied to humans, it could provide a potential pathway to controlling the autoimmunity that underlies T1D.
Breakthrough T1D has been at the forefront of driving research using nanoparticles to benefit people with T1D. In addition to branching out and funding Dr. Miller’s study on MS because of its relevance to T1D, Breakthrough T1D has a robust portfolio of other promising research it is funding in this area. Breakthrough T1D’s recent and current funding commitments to research involving nanoparticles total over $6 million.
Included in this research are other studies by Dr. Miller that specifically focus on T1D. In this research, Dr. Miller is attempting to use nanoparticles to help achieve immune tolerance for transplanted insulin-producing islet cells. Another Breakthrough T1D-funded study in this area that has received attention is one conducted by Dr. Pere Santamaria at the University of Calgary, using nanoparticles to restore the balance among the T cells and stop the autoimmune process in T1D. His work involves assembling
triggers of the immune system onto a nanoparticle, including specific T1D antigens. It has shown that protective T cells still exist in T1D, but just not enough of them to properly control the autoimmune process. By dosing mice with his nanoparticles, Dr. Santamaria has been able to increase the numbers of the protective T cells resulting in a rebalancing of the T cells and halting the autoimmune process.
In addition to the research led by Dr. Miller and Dr. Santamaria, Breakthrough T1D’s nanoparticle portfolio includes an industry partnership with Selecta Biosciences as well as studies being conducted by Dr. Eric Bachelder at Ohio State University, Dr. Nick Giannoukakis at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Teresa DiLorenzo at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Dr. Francisco Quintana at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and others.
Research on nanoparticles and other potential pathways to cure, better treat and prevent T1D is made possible by Breakthrough T1D supporters around the country and around the world who raise the critical funds through Walks, Rides, Gala and other events.
About Breakthrough T1D
Breakthrough T1D is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Driven by passionate, grassroots volunteers connected to children, adolescents, and adults with this disease, Breakthrough T1D is now the largest charitable supporter of T1D research. The goal of Breakthrough T1D research is to improve the lives of all people affected by T1D by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better treating, and preventing T1D. Breakthrough T1D collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners who share this goal.
Since its founding in 1970, Breakthrough T1D has awarded more than $1.6 billion to diabetes research. Past Breakthrough T1D efforts have helped to significantly advance the care of people with this disease, and have expanded the critical scientific understanding of T1D. Breakthrough T1D will not rest until T1D is fully conquered. More than 80 percent of Breakthrough T1D’s expenditures directly support research and research-related education.
