The Role of the Innate Immune System in the Pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) seeks to advance the National Institutes of Health (NIH) mission by utilizing Special Statutory Funding Program for Type 1 Diabetes Research funds to support studies focused on the involvement of the innate immune system in the initiation of Type 1 diabetes (T1D). This initiative directly aligns with the first goal of the congressionally mandated Special Diabetes Program, which is to identify the genetic and environmental causes of T1D. By engaging multidisciplinary teams with expertise in innate immunity and beta-cell biology, the program aims to elucidate how innate immune components interact with pancreatic tissues and beta cells. The program will leverage the use of new approach methodologies (NAMs) to precisely define the timing and impact of environmental perturbations that activate innate immune pathways. Ultimately, these studies may enable earlier identification of individuals at elevated risk for T1D (beyond genetic susceptibility) and lay the groundwork for future prevention and therapeutic strategies. Grant authorities that allow NIAID to forecast this opportunity are as follows: Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 2 CFR Part 200.