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Scripps Research Receives $3.2 Million Grant to study Type 1 Diabetes

What is Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks ⁣the cells that produce insulin – a critical hormone that regulates the ⁢body’s blood sugar. ⁢Approximately 1.6 million Americans live with type 1 diabetes,and while genetics play a strong role in susceptibility,scientists still don’t fully understand what initiates the autoimmune attack.

The Role of Vascular-Associated Fibroblastic Cells (VAFs)

Professor Luc Teyton, in collaboration with Assistant Professor Joseph Jardine, is focusing research on vascular-associated fibroblastic cells (VAFs). These⁤ cells,though rare,act as molecular peacekeepers in the pancreas,actively⁣ protecting insulin-producing cells from the immune system. Early research suggests that type ⁣1 diabetes may develop when VAFs become overwhelmed, ⁣leading to immune system activation and the destruction of insulin-producing⁢ cells.

Key Findings from the Cell Reports Publication

Teyton’s team published findings in Cell Reports in September 2025, identifying VAFs clustered around⁢ insulin-producing regions of ⁤the pancreas in both mouse models and human pancreatic tissue. Surprisingly, these cells where presenting pancreatic antigens – fragments of proteins – to the immune system.

Normally, only specialized immune cells present antigens to alert the immune system to threats. The finding that ⁢VAFs also express these molecules and display pancreatic components to immune cells is a meaningful finding, suggesting⁤ a previously unknown mechanism in the development of type 1 diabetes.

Expert analysis

Understanding Inflammation in Type⁢ 1 Diabetes

The research also highlights the role of inflammation in the progression of type 1 diabetes. When vafs are unable to effectively regulate the immune⁣ response, inflammation can escalate, leading to the destruction of insulin-producing