Year 3
The goal of this project was to using novel immune techniques to block rejection of human ES cell derived islet precursors in mouse models of diabetes. during the past three years, we identified and developed islet specific regulatory T cells that could be used to suppress immune responses to the stem cell-derived islets. we also established, with some difficulty, a more robust methodology to direct the differentiation of human ES cells into islet precursors for transplantation. the studies were not complete but demonstrated in proof of principle studies that the tools can be generated to address the primary questions posed in this project.