# Immune Landscape of Human Pancreatic Islets in Type 2 Diabetes

> **NIH NIH DP2** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE · 2024 · $325,597

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Group 1 CD1 molecules which perform lipid antigen presentation, are expressed in humans but not in mice.
This biological difference leaves a gap in the understanding of the role of lipid antigens role in immunological
homeostasis and disease. The parent award supports a minority scholar in using type 2 diabetes (T2D) as a
model disease to investigate the role of lipid antigen presentation in generating adaptive immune responses
under chronic antigen stimulation. Three research areas explore the hypothesis that lipid antigen presentation
initiates chronic inflammation in T2D. Preliminary data from the parent grant suggest that immune-mediated β-
cell dysfunction, downstream of lipid antigen presentation, may contribute to human T2D development. This
supplement aims to investigate immune cell infiltration and activation in human pancreatic islets from
individuals with and without T2D using imaging mass cytometry. Additionally, it supports "late bloomer"
undergraduates in gaining research experience, addressing disparities in biomedical sciences. Completion of
this project will provide insights into the immune environment in T2D and pilot a mentorship program for
disadvantaged students.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11039258
- **Project number:** 3DP2AI171121-03S2
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Dequina Angelina Nicholas
- **Activity code:** DP2 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $325,597
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2022-08-18 → 2027-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11039258

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11039258, Immune Landscape of Human Pancreatic Islets in Type 2 Diabetes (3DP2AI171121-03S2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11039258. Licensed CC0.

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