Background & Purpose

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PURPOSE

JDRF is soliciting EOIs to investigate the role of the microbiome in type 1 diabetes (T1D). JDRF is most interested in research that focuses on understanding the role of the intestinal microbiome in T1D pathogenesis and utilizing these insights to develop therapeutic approaches to slow or stop T1D progression.

BACKGROUND

Recent evidence has demonstrated that alterations in several features of the intestinal microbiome are linked with the onset of T1D. These features include, but are not limited to, decreased microbial diversity, degree of colonization with strains of individual microbes, altered metabolite production, and to a lesser extent altered intestinal virome and increased intestinal permeability. Genetics and several environmental risk factors associated with T1D pathogenesis have also been shown to modify the intestinal environment and alter overall intestinal health. The interplay between the intestinal microbiome, genetics and environment is not completely understood and has made it difficult to consistently identify disease modifying features across populations. A greater understanding of the complex interactions between the intestinal microbiome (bacteria, viruses, fungi and bioactive metabolites) and several interacting systems in the body (immune, intestinal integrity and function, metabolism, beta cell function, etc.), as well as the identification of potential mechanism(s) is needed for the identification of therapeutic targets to prevent or delay the progression of T1D. Recent data from animal models and human cohorts suggest that intervening on these pathways via probiotics or direct metabolite supplementation may have beneficial disease modifying effects.