Our lab is interested in the generation of auto-aggressive or "self-reactive" T cells. Specifically, we study how these T cells cause autoimmune diseases such as type 1 (juvenile) diabetes. T cells under normal conditions are the cells that respond to foreign antigens such as bacteria, virus, fungus, or parasite infections. The T cell is able to recognize an antigen through its T cell receptor (TCR) molecule. T cells express very specific TCRs so that one T cell recognizes an antigen from influenza and another T cell recognizes as antigen from streptococcus B for example. However, during an autoimmune disease T cells incorrectly identify self-tissue as being foreign and respond to it. This response results in inflammation that is persistent and ultimately destroys the normal tissue. In the case of type 1 diabetes, T cells recognize the islet cells of the pancreas (the cells that produce insulin) and destroy them, thus preventing insulin production.
Our lab is focused on 3 research areas: 1) Generation of Auto-aggressive T cells; 2) A means of eliminating auto-aggressive T cells and 3) The role of T cells in managing cancer.
In work done at Webb-Waring, we identified the T cells that are responsible for causing type 1 diabetes. We found a marker, CD40, that allows us to detect the presence of these T cells. We showed that these T cells specifically attack the islet cells of the pancreas and lead to destruction of insulin producing cells.
Additionally, we are exploring the way that these T cells develop in diabetes. We have determined that these T cells can alter expression of the T cell receptor, that is the way these T cells recognize antigens. We are determining how to alter these T cells so that they no longer cause disease. These findings will lead to better treatments for auto-immune disease. That is we will be able to treat the T cells that damage the normal system, without destroying the over all immune system.
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that more than 32 million Americans are afflicted by some form of Arthritis; affecting 125 of every 1000 people under the age of 45, and almost half of the people aged 45 to 64. Diabetes was responsible for 63,000 deaths in 1997 making it the 7th leading cause of death in people 18 to 64 years old.
The final area of our research focus is how T cells can recognize cancer cells, or tumors. Tumors develop because they are not detected by the immune system. T cells normally detect a tumor as it is developing, and destroy it before it becomes dangerous. When cancer occurs, the immune system, T cells for instance, have failed to detect the tumor. We are exploring ways to make tumors recognizable by the immune system, that is to 'de-cloak' the tumor. In addition, we are exploring the mechanisms by which T cells alter TCR expression in hopes of generating T cells that are able to detected and destroy tumor cells.
Back to Antioxidant Research at Webb-Waring
