TBA (last known deadline was November 8, 2012)
The purpose of the JDRF Autoimmunity and Beta Cell Cure and Prevention Translational Centers Program is to support the development of therapies to cure and/or prevent human type 1 diabetes (T1D), an autoimmune disease resulting in loss of functional beta cell mass and insulin dependence. In established T1D, JDRF has set a strategic goal of modulating autoimmunity and restoring functional beta cell mass to achieve insulin independence. Specific objectives include inducing beta cell autoantigen immunoregulation, regenerating beta cells, alleviating stress on the beta cell and promoting beta cell survival. Such approaches may prove applicable not only in established T1D, but also in recent onset T1D, where restoring and maintaining beta cells will likely be required to induce durable insulin independence. Recent data suggest that there is extensive cross-talk between the beta cell and the immune system in the ongoing pathogenesis of T1D, and thus, reversal of the disease may require use of combination therapeutics targeting both the autoimmune process and beta cells (beta cell health/survival and regeneration). In the at-risk setting, JDRF has prioritized both primary and secondary prevention of T1D.