Preksha Bhagchandani

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disorder that results in destruction of pancreatic insulin-producing cells called islets. Islet transplantation from an organ donor can replenish lost islet cells but is limited by the need for life-long toxic immunosuppression. To address this challenge, I aim to study mixed chimerism to promote tolerance of transplanted tissues without the use of immunosuppressive drugs in mouse models of diabetes. Mixed chimerism, produced by a bone marrow transplant, allows for both host and donor immune cells to persist and promotes tolerance of both host and donor tissues. This can be achieved with a novel low intensity antibody-based protocol to condition the host prior to bone marrow and islet transplantation. Combined with engineering approaches to improve the survivability and function of the islets transplanted, this cell-based therapeutic approach has the potential to increase the accessibility of islet transplantation for patients living with type 1 diabetes.