This SPARK project aims to investigate the role of atypical CD4 T cells in diabetes, exploring how they increase disease susceptibility in individuals with diabetes. By characterizing these cells and their responses in diabetic versus non-diabetic individuals, we hope to better understand, and maybe even treat, this complex condition.
2026 Tullie and Rickey Families Spark Awards finalist
Rashmi Tippalagama, Ph.D.
Are broadly reactive immune cells the missing link to preventing diabetes-related complications?
Unlike conventional CD4 T cells that respond to specific pathogens, atypical CD4 T cells lack strict antigen specificity. They act as a bridge between the immune system’s two arms: the innate system, which provides broad, rapid defense, and the adaptive system, which delivers precise, targeted responses.
Our research found that tuberculosis patients with diabetes show elevated levels of these cells compared to non-diabetic patients, suggesting a possible link between diabetes and immune dysfunction.
We hypothesize that these cells may play a role in how diabetes reshapes immune responses to infection. Through this study, we’ll conduct comparative analyses on samples from diabetic and non-diabetic individuals to better define the properties, targets, and functional impact of these cells.
Given that diabetes affects nearly 12% of Americans and is linked to severe outcomes from infectious diseases, understanding the mechanisms behind this altered immunity could pave the way for novel interventions that improve infection resistance and long-term health in diabetic populations.
“I hope my research helps uncover how unconventional CD4 T cells contribute to immune dysfunction in diabetes and ultimately sparks the development of new therapies that prevent complications before they start. By studying these overlooked cells, we could shift from treating disease to predicting and protecting against it.”
