# The role of SH2B3 in regulating CD8 T cells in Type 1 Diabetes

> **NIH NIH R03** · SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL · 2024 · $141,768

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
This project is a small grant program R03 application for Dr. Eric Allenspach, an Assistant Professor in the
Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington (UW). He is a recipient of an NIH Mentored Clinical
Scientist Research Career Development Award (K08) from the NIDDK and is currently in year four. Dr.
Allenspach is an attending physician in both the divisions of Pediatric Rheumatology and Immunology and has
a clinical and research interest in the treatment of pediatric autoimmune conditions. Dr. Allenspach’s specific
research interest is understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating autoimmunity including rare variants
and risk alleles. His long-term career goal is to become an independently funded principal investigator studying
genetic mechanisms of autoimmunity in both animal models and using human samples using basic and
translational approaches.
In the present application, Dr. Allenspach is requesting NIH R03 funding to support a new area of research
related, yet distinct, to his K08. Dr. Allenspach proposes studying the biologic role of an identified autoimmune
risk variant in the adaptor protein SH2B3 on the function of T cells in mouse models of type 1 diabetes (T1D).
A strong association has been found between a genetic allele (rs3184504) in the SH2B3 gene and T1D. In this
proposal, we utilize murine modeling to understand how reduced SH2B3 function affects T cells. The K08
proposal focused on the role of SH2B3 in shaping myeloid development, function and antigen presentation as
linked to T1D. Now, preliminary data from our group has identified a clear T cell-intrinsic role for SH2B3 in
regulating the IL-2 receptor pathway. A strong association has been found between the genetic risk allele
(rs3184504*T) and T1D and this allele encodes for a hypomorphic SH2B3 protein. Deficiency of Sh2b3 in
murine CD8 T cells renders them refractory to tolerance mechanisms in vivo as demonstrated in a murine
diabetes model. The mechanism driving this autoimmunity is not clear.
In this proposal, we will test whether deficiency in SH2B3 alters the TCR signaling threshold required for
proliferation and differentiation. We will leverage a well-established murine TCR-transgenic models coupled
with TCR signaling reporters and test this in vitro and in vivo. We will explore whether SH2B3 regulates all of
the common gamma chain receptors and how this signaling intersects with TCR signaling. We will also test
whether SH2B3 deficiency skews toward terminal effector memory cells, a known pathogenic phenotype of
CD8 cells associated with T1D progression. These basic studies will help inform the mechanistic
understanding of the SH2B3 genetic risk variant in promoting diabetes and can guide future human studies. It
is anticipated these studies would provide the publications and preliminary data needed to develop an
independent research direction and apply for R01 funding at the end of the career development support.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10771249
- **Project number:** 5R03DK134746-02
- **Recipient organization:** SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Eric J Allenspach
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $141,768
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-02-01 → 2025-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10771249

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10771249, The role of SH2B3 in regulating CD8 T cells in Type 1 Diabetes (5R03DK134746-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10771249. Licensed CC0.

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