Translating Type 1 Diabetes Risk Alleles to Therapy
Sunday, June 23, at 8:00 a.m. ET
Room W304 A-D
Orange County Convention Center
HLA as a Target, Not a Predictor
Aaron Michels, MD
Professor of Pediatrics, Medicine, and Immunology,
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
What is your presentation about?
The paradigm for treating type 1 diabetes is changing with the first approved drug to treat the underlying autoimmunity in type 1 diabetes. Additional therapies are needed to improve prevention efforts and preserve residual Beta-cell function in those newly diagnosed with diabetes. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II genes are the most important genetic risk factor for type 1 diabetes development (e.g., HLA-DQ8, DR4, DR3, and DQ2), and now HLA class II molecules are targets for immune based therapies currently in clinical trials, including methyldopa to block HLA-DQ8, antigen specific immunotherapy targeted to HLA-DR4, and the GAD-alum vaccine showing efficacy in those with HLA-DR3-DQ2.
How do you hope your presentation will impact diabetes research or care?
Using HLA class II molecules as a therapeutic target represents precision medicine and holds the promise for safe and specific therapies to treat the underlying autoimmunity in type 1 diabetes. With the continued study and development of these therapies, longer term prevention and preservation of Beta-cell function in those newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes is on the horizon.
How did you become involved with this area of diabetes research or care?
My professional research career focuses on understanding the underlying immunology of autoimmune disorders with a strong focus on type 1 diabetes. Having lived with type 1 diabetes for more than three decades, it is my career goal to contribute to the prevention and ultimately a cure for the disease.
Targeting TYK2 for Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes
Farooq Syed, PhD
Assistant Professor of Research,
Indiana University
What is your presentation about?
My presentation will discuss the potential of tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) as a therapeutic target for the prevention of type 1 diabetes.
How do you hope your presentation will impact diabetes research or care?
Our current study aims to explore the effects of TYK2 inhibition in type 1 diabetes models, with a focus on elucidating its potential for preventing type 1 diabetes in preclinical settings. Through this investigation, we aim to provide valuable insights into the therapeutic potential of TYK2 inhibition as a strategy for type 1 diabetes prevention.
How did you become involved with this area of diabetes research or care?
My interest in diabetes research began during my undergraduate studies in biochemistry, where I became fascinated by the intricate mechanisms underlying metabolic diseases. This initial curiosity led me to pursue further research in endocrinology and diabetes. Over the past 15 years, I have been actively involved in dedicated basic fundamental research on pancreatic islet cells and translational investigations in diabetes, particularly type 1 diabetes. My focus has been on exploring early biomarker identification and targeted pharmacological interventions for disease prevention.ence that a program like this can have for people that are homebound and have skilled needs that often include many comorbidities.