Genetic Composition and Autoantibody Titers Model the Probability of Detecting C-Peptide Following Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis

Associations between diabetes-related genetic risk scores and residual beta cell function in type 1 diabetes: the GUTDM1 study

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Use of genetic risk scores (GRS) may help to distinguish between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, but less is known about whether GRS are associated with disease severity or progression after diagnosis. Therefore, we tested whether GRS are associated with residual beta cell function and glycaemic control in individuals with type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

Immunochip arrays and TOPMed were used to genotype a cross-sectional cohort (n=479, age 41.7 ± 14.9 years, duration of diabetes 16.0 years [IQR 6.0-29.0], HbA1c 55.6 ± 12.2 mmol/mol). Several GRS, which were originally developed to assess genetic risk of type 1 diabetes (GRS-1, GRS-2) and type 2 diabetes (GRS-T2D), were calculated. GRS-C1 and GRS-C2 were based on SNPs that have previously been shown to be associated with residual beta cell function. Regression models were used to investigate the association between GRS and residual beta cell function, assessed using the urinary C-peptide/creatinine ratio, and the association between GRS and continuous glucose monitor metrics.

RESULTS

Higher GRS-1 and higher GRS-2 both showed a significant association with undetectable UCPCR (OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.69, 0.89 and OR 0.84: 95% CI 0.75, 0.93, respectively), which were attenuated after correction for sex and age of onset (GRS-2) and disease duration (GRS-1). Higher GRS-C2 was associated with detectable urinary C-peptide/creatinine ratio (≥0.01 nmol/mmol) after correction for sex and age of onset (OR 6.95; 95% CI 1.19, 40.75). A higher GRS-T2D was associated with less time below range (TBR) (OR for TBR<4% 1.41; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.96) and lower glucose coefficient of variance (β -1.53; 95% CI -2.76, -0.29).

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Diabetes-related GRS are associated with residual beta cell function in individuals with type 1 diabetes. These findings suggest some genetic contribution to preservation of beta cell function.

Human immune phenotyping reveals accelerated aging in type 1 diabetes

The proportions and phenotypes of immune cell subsets in peripheral blood undergo continual and dramatic remodeling throughout the human life span, which complicates efforts to identify disease-associated immune signatures in type 1 diabetes (T1D). We conducted cross-sectional flow cytometric immune profiling on peripheral blood from 826 individuals (stage 3 T1D, their first-degree relatives, those with ≥2 islet autoantibodies, and autoantibody-negative unaffected controls). We constructed an immune age predictive model in unaffected participants and observed accelerated immune aging in T1D. We used generalized additive models for location, shape, and scale to obtain age-corrected data for flow cytometry and complete blood count readouts, which can be visualized in our interactive portal (ImmScape); 46 parameters were significantly associated with age only, 25 with T1D only, and 23 with both age and T1D. Phenotypes associated with accelerated immunological aging in T1D included increased CXCR3+ and programmed cell death 1-positive (PD-1+) frequencies in naive and memory T cell subsets, despite reduced PD-1 expression levels on memory T cells. Phenotypes associated with T1D after age correction were predictive of T1D status. Our findings demonstrate advanced immune aging in T1D and highlight disease-associated phenotypes for biomarker monitoring and therapeutic interventions.

Responders to low-dose ATG induce CD4+ T cell exhaustion in type 1 diabetes

BACKGROUNDLow-dose anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) transiently preserves C-peptide and lowers HbA1c in individuals with recent-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D); however, the mechanisms of action and features of the response remain unclear. Here, we characterized the post hoc immunological outcomes of ATG administration and their potential use as biomarkers of metabolic response to therapy (i.e., improved preservation of endogenous insulin production).METHODSWe assessed gene and protein expression, targeted gene methylation, and cytokine concentrations in peripheral blood following treatment with ATG (n = 29), ATG plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (ATG/G-CSF, n = 28), or placebo (n = 31).RESULTSTreatment with low-dose ATG preserved regulatory T cells (Tregs), as measured by stable methylation of FOXP3 Treg-specific demethylation region (TSDR) and increased proportions of CD4+FOXP3+ Tregs (P < 0.001) identified by flow cytometry. While treatment effects were consistent across participants, not all maintained C-peptide. Responders exhibited a transient rise in IL-6, IP-10, and TNF-α (P < 0.05 for all) 2 weeks after treatment and a durable CD4+ exhaustion phenotype (increased PD-1+KLRG1+CD57- on CD4+ T cells [P = 0.011] and PD1+CD4+ Temra MFI [P < 0.001] at 12 weeks, following ATG and ATG/G-CSF, respectively). ATG nonresponders displayed higher proportions of senescent T cells (at baseline and after treatment) and increased methylation of EOMES (i.e., less expression of this exhaustion marker).CONCLUSIONAltogether in these exploratory analyses, Th1 inflammation-associated serum and CD4+ exhaustion transcript and cellular phenotyping profiles may be useful for identifying signatures of clinical response to ATG in T1D.TRIAL REGISTRATIONClinicalTrials.gov NCT02215200.FUNDINGThe Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust (2019PG-T1D011), the NIH (R01 DK106191 Supplement, K08 DK128628), NIH TrialNet (U01 DK085461), and the NIH NIAID (P01 AI042288).

A genomic data archive from the Network for Pancreatic Organ donors with Diabetes

The Network for Pancreatic Organ donors with Diabetes (nPOD) is the largest biorepository of human pancreata and associated immune organs from donors with type 1 diabetes (T1D), maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY), cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD), type 2 diabetes (T2D), gestational diabetes, islet autoantibody positivity (AAb+), and without diabetes. nPOD recovers, processes, analyzes, and distributes high-quality biospecimens, collected using optimized standard operating procedures, and associated de-identified data/metadata to researchers around the world. Herein describes the release of high-parameter genotyping data from this collection. 372 donors were genotyped using a custom precision medicine single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) microarray. Data were technically validated using published algorithms to evaluate donor relatedness, ancestry, imputed HLA, and T1D genetic risk score. Additionally, 207 donors were assessed for rare known and novel coding region variants via whole exome sequencing (WES). These data are publicly-available to enable genotype-specific sample requests and the study of novel genotype:phenotype associations, aiding in the mission of nPOD to enhance understanding of diabetes pathogenesis to promote the development of novel therapies.

Islet Autoantibody Level Distribution in Type 1 Diabetes and Their Association With Genetic and Clinical Characteristics

CONTEXT

The importance of the autoantibody level at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is not clear.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to assess the association of glutamate decarboxylase (GADA), islet antigen-2 (IA-2A), and zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8A) autoantibody levels with clinical and genetic characteristics at diagnosis of T1D.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional study. GADA, IA-2A, and ZnT8A were measured in 1644 individuals with T1D at diagnosis using radiobinding assays. Associations between autoantibody levels and the clinical and genetic characteristics for individuals were assessed in those positive for these autoantibodies. We performed replication in an independent cohort of 449 people with T1D.

RESULTS

GADA and IA-2A levels exhibited a bimodal distribution at diagnosis. High GADA level was associated with older age at diagnosis (median 27 years vs 19 years, P = 9 × 10-17), female sex (52% vs 37%, P = 1 × 10-8), other autoimmune diseases (13% vs 6%, P = 3 × 10-6), and HLA-DR3-DQ2 (58% vs 51%, P = .006). High IA-2A level was associated with younger age of diagnosis (median 17 years vs 23 years, P = 3 × 10-7), HLA-DR4-DQ8 (66% vs 50%, P = 1 × 10-6), and ZnT8A positivity (77% vs 52%, P = 1 × 10-15). We replicated our findings in an independent cohort of 449 people with T1D where autoantibodies were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

CONCLUSION

Islet autoantibody levels provide additional information over positivity in T1D at diagnosis. Bimodality of GADA and IA-2A autoantibody levels highlights the novel aspect of heterogeneity of T1D. This may have implications for T1D prediction, treatment, and pathogenesis.

The longitudinal loss of islet autoantibody responses from diagnosis of type 1 diabetes occurs progressively over follow-up and is determined by low autoantibody titres, early-onset, and genetic variants

The clinical usefulness of post-diagnosis islet autoantibody levels is unclear and factors that drive autoantibody persistence are poorly defined in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Our aim was to characterise the longitudinal loss of islet autoantibody responses after diagnosis in a large, prospectively sampled UK cohort. Participants with T1D [n = 577] providing a diagnosis sample [range -1.0 to 2.0 years] and at least one post-diagnosis sample (<32.0 years) were tested for autoantibodies to glutamate decarboxylase 65 (GADA), islet antigen-2 (IA-2A), and zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8A). Select HLA and non-HLA SNPs were considered. Non-genetic and genetic factors were assessed by multivariable logistic regression models for autoantibody positivity at initial sampling and autoantibody loss at final sampling. For GADA, IA-2A, and ZnT8A, 70.8%, 76.8%, and 40.1%, respectively, remained positive at the final sampling. Non-genetic predictors of autoantibody loss were low baseline autoantibody titres (P < 0.0001), longer diabetes duration (P < 0.0001), and age-at-onset under 8 years (P < 0.01--0.05). Adjusting for non-genetic covariates, GADA loss was associated with low-risk HLA class II genotypes (P = 0.005), and SNPs associated with autoimmunity RELA/11q13 (P = 0.017), LPP/3q28 (P = 0.004), and negatively with IFIH1/2q24 (P = 0.018). IA-2A loss was not associated with genetic factors independent of other covariates, while ZnT8A loss was associated with the presence of HLA A*24 (P = 0.019) and weakly negatively with RELA/11q13 (P = 0.049). The largest longitudinal study of islet autoantibody responses from diagnosis of T1D shows that autoantibody loss is heterogeneous and influenced by low titres at onset, longer duration, earlier age-at-onset, and genetic variants. These data may inform clinical trials where post-diagnosis participants are recruited.

Genome-Wide Identification of N6-Methyladenosine Associated SNPs as Potential Functional Variants for Type 1 Diabetes

OBJECTIVES

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is essential in the regulation of the immune system, but the role that its single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) play in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) remains unknown. This study demonstrated the association between genetic variants in m6A regulators and T1D risk based on a case-control study in a Chinese population.

METHODS

The tagging SNPs in m6A regulators were genotyped in 1005 autoantibody-positive patients with T1D and 1257 controls using the Illumina Human OmniZhongHua-8 platform. Islet-specific autoantibodies were examined by radioimmunoprecipitation in all the patients. The mixed-meal glucose tolerance test was performed on 355 newly diagnosed patients to evaluate their residual islet function. The functional annotations for the identified SNPs were performed in silico. Using 102 samples from a whole-genome expression microarray, key signaling pathways associated with m6A regulators in T1D were comprehendingly evaluated.

RESULTS

Under the additive model, we observed three tag SNPs in the noncoding region of the PRRC2A (rs2260051, rs3130623) and YTHDC2 (rs1862315) gene are associated with T1D risk. Although no association was found between these SNPs and islet function, patients carrying risk variants had a higher positive rate for ZnT8A, GADA, and IA-2A. Further analyses showed that rs2260051[T] was associated with increased expression of PRRC2A mRNA (P = 7.0E-13), and PRRC2A mRNA was significantly higher in peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples from patients with T1D compared to normal samples (P = 0.022). Enrichment analyses indicated that increased PRRC2A expression engages in the most significant hallmarks of cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, cell adhesion and chemotaxis, and neurotransmitter regulation pathways. The potential role of increased PRRC2A in disrupting immune homeostasis is through the PI3K/AKT pathway and neuro-immune interactions.

CONCLUSION

This study found intronic variants in PRRC2A and YTHDC2 associated with T1D risk in a Chinese Han population. PRRC2A rs2260051[T] may be implicated in unbalanced immune homeostasis by affecting the expression of PRRC2A mRNA. These findings enriched our understanding of m6A regulators and their intronic SNPs that underlie the pathogenesis of T1D.

Strategies for durable β cell replacement in type 1 diabetes

Technological advancements in blood glucose monitoring and therapeutic insulin administration have improved the quality of life for people with type 1 diabetes. However, these efforts fall short of replicating the exquisite metabolic control provided by native islets. We examine the integrated advancements in islet cell replacement and immunomodulatory therapies that are coalescing to enable the restoration of endogenous glucose regulation. We highlight advances in stem cell biology and graft site design, which offer innovative sources of cellular material and improved engraftment. We also cover cutting-edge approaches for preventing allograft rejection and recurrent autoimmunity. These insights reflect a growing understanding of type 1 diabetes etiology, β cell biology, and biomaterial design, together highlighting therapeutic opportunities to durably replace the β cells destroyed in type 1 diabetes.