Cluster of Differentiation 4 T Cells and Neoantigens in Autoimmune Diabetes

Kathryn Haskins1, Janet Wenzlau1

  • 1Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO.

Our investigations of antigens for pathogenic T cells in autoimmune diabetes led to the discovery of hybrid insulin peptides as T cell epitopes. T cells reactive to hybrid insulin peptides can be found at high frequency in the nonobese diabetic mouse model of type 1 diabetes and are also present in human patients. Hybrid insulin peptides can also be administered to mice in a tolerogenic form, thereby suppressing the autoimmune response.

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