Award
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 1R03DK147068-01
Unraveling Counter-Regulatory Transcriptional Control by the ZBED Family in Beta Cell Stress and Immune Tolerance
Recipient
Indiana University Indianapolis, Department of Pediatrics
Award Amount
$149,738.00
Ceiling
$149,738.00
Awarded
June 19, 2026
Identifier
1R03DK147068-01
The award supports research on the roles of ZBED2 and ZBED3 transcription factors in beta cell survival and immune tolerance in Type 1 diabetes, aiming to improve therapeutic strategies.
Description
This project aims to elucidate the transcriptional mechanisms underlying beta cell vulnerability by testing the hypothesis that ZBED2 and ZBED3 govern the balance between beta cell function, immune tolerance, and stress adaptation. Using genetically engineered beta cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and primary islets, the study will define the role of ZBED3 in regulating beta cell immunogenicity, functional maturation, and stress response, and enhance immune tolerance by inducing ZBED2 and investigating its antagonistic effects on inflammatory signaling. The work addresses a critical gap in Type 1 diabetes therapy and supports the development of transcription-based strategies to improve the durability of cell replacement interventions.