
Overview
Dr. Matthias von Herrath is committed to clinical translation of immune-based interventions in autoimmune and metabolic diseases, the latter in particular being an exciting emerging field. His expertise and main strength is working at the interface of experimental research to interpret and refine early phase I/II clinical trials in order to optimize strategies for phase 3 trials and drug approval. This comprises translation from various animal models to human interventions, optimization of immunotherapies and their relative ranking, assessment of combination therapies, development of biomarkers as primary or secondary outcomes, induction of antigen specific tolerance in autoimmunity, regulatory cells and clinical T cell assays. In order to be better able to pursue his goal of clinical translation, Dr. von Herrath accepted the position of Vice President and Head of NovoNordisk’s diabetes R&D Center in Seattle in autumn of 2011. At NovoNordisk, he built the diabetes translational unit, which is based on less conventional and innovative design.
Understanding disease pathology remains very close to Dr. von Herrath’s heart and NovoNordisk enabled him to keep an appointment at La Jolla Institute, where he pursues NIH-funded research on the pathology of type 1 and 2 diabetes as part of the national pancreatic organ donor network (nPOD). This is a multinational collaborative effort where data are shared in real time and no intellectual property yet lots of new knowledge on the pathology of type 1 and 2 diabetes is being generated. It is a unique new collaborative paradigm for academic and also industry settings.
Featured publications
Alpha cells, the main source of IL-1β in human pancreas
IL-4R is expressed on alpha and beta cells of human pancreata.
Lab Members

Matthias von Herrath, M.D.
Professor Center for Autoimmunity and InflammationResearch Projects
Characterization of HLA class I expression in autoantibody positive and type 1 diabetic donors
Team: Mehdi Benkahla and Somayeh Sabouri Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease characterized by increased blood glucose levels
Characterization of in-situ IL17 expression in human pancreas
Team: Sakthi Rajendran, Estefania Quesada-Masachs and Mehdi Benkahla IL-17 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine important in shaping host immune responses against
Characterization of specificity and phenotype of pancreatic CD8 T cells in human Type 1 Diabetes
Team: Christine Bender A better understanding of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is the first step to potentially developing new therapies
Detailed in-situ characterization of cytokines, immune and endocrine cell in the human pancreas
Team: Sakthi Rajendran, Estefania Quesada-Masachs, Christine Bender Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease caused by the destruction of
Exploring toxic effects of T1D patient’s serum in pancreatic β cells
Team: Estefania Quesada-Masachs, Sakthi Rajendran Type 1 diabetes (T1D), an autoimmune disease that usually affects young people, is on the
Expression of HLA class II in human pancreatic tissue sections
Team: Estefania Quesada-Masachs, Sakthi Rajendran Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which insulin-producing β cells are attacked
From the lab

A cold case no longer
What happened when an LJI scientist revisited a diabetes mystery

Unmasking the pancreas
No one knows exactly what triggers type 1 diabetes, but researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have uncovered some fascinating clues.

LJI research leads to promising combination therapy for type 1 diabetes
Phase 2 trial run by Novo Nordisk emphasizes the importance of translational research
Awards & Honors
- 2007-2012 Scholar Award from the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
- 2008 American Diabetes Association–Lilly Outstanding Scientist Achievement Award
- 2006 Grotzky Award from the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International