Type 1 Diabetes through Another Lens—Lessons from Other Disease Settings
Saturday, June 24, at 8:00 a.m. PT
Room 30
San Diego Convention Center
(Livestream Available)
Presentation: Type 1 Diabetes in Primary Immunodeficiencies
Martin A. Thelin, MD, PhD
Pediatric Endocrine Fellow,
UCSF
What is your presentation about?
Type 1 diabetes is caused by immune dysfunction and the loss of self-tolerance. Both genetic predisposition and environment are risk factors, although the precise mechanism remains unknown. This presentation will focus on the breakdown of tolerance in primary immunodeficiencies leading to diabetes.
What makes this topic important in 2023?
Anti-CD3 antibody immunotherapy, which directly targets T cells, revealed a delayed onset of type 1 diabetes. By studying the breakdown of immunotolerance in monogenic forms of diabetes, we can broaden our understanding of immune breakdown and potentially identify novel targets.
How did you become involved with this area of diabetes research or care?
As an MD and PhD candidate in Sweden, I became aware of the burden that comes with a type 1 diabetes diagnosis. Therefore, I want to elucidate the underlying disease mechanisms with the goal of developing novel therapeutics.
How do you think your presentation will impact diabetes research or care?
The goal of the presentation is to highlight the potential of studying the causes of type 1 diabetes through the lens of monogenic forms of immune dysfunction. A focus will be to present ways of modeling human immune dysfunction in mice models.
What are you most looking forward to at the 83rd Scientific Sessions?
I am looking forward to hearing about the latest breakthroughs in diabetes and meeting colleagues from different parts of the world.