SRP-Onderzoekszwaartepunt: Platform for Clinical Trial Network to Prevent and Cure Type 1 Diabetes (SRP55)

Type 1 diabetes-T1D is caused by autoimmune-mediated depletion of pancreatic beta cells. This loss can so far not be prevented or corrected, needed to avoid daily burden of the disease and its life-long risks for complications. Our Center initiated a long-term program aiming preservation and replacement of functional beta cell mass-FBM according to disease state. Laboratory research generated knowledge and expertise on beta cell biology, developing preclinical models. A clinical biology reference laboratory was established with BetaCellBank and DiabetesBioBank cores receiving human pancreases and blood samples through Eurotransplant and Belgian Diabetes Registry. Genetic, immune and beta cell markers determine risk for clinical onset and help interpret outcome of interventions. This panel will be extended to distinguish preclinical stages and thus identify subgroups with differences in risk and intervention responsiveness according to the target. Marker combinations are investigated for their relationship with FBM-properties as assessed in vivo in T1D and high-risk relatives, in situ in pancreases from autoAb-positive donors, and in preclinical models with human stem-cell generated beta cell implants derived from T1D patients. Data will guide clinical studies for preserving or replacing FBM at (pre)clinical stages. They will thus support our long-term strategy and further indicate the benefit of our BetaCellTherapy consortium.

Keywords:diabetes

Disciplines:Public health sciences not elsewhere classified