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10.1172/jci.insight.203119
1Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
2Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, United States of America
3Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
4Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
5Breast Test Wales, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
6Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
7Diamyd Medical AB, Stockholm, Sweden
Find articles by Hanna, S. in: PubMed | Google Scholar
1Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
2Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, United States of America
3Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
4Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
5Breast Test Wales, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
6Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
7Diamyd Medical AB, Stockholm, Sweden
Find articles by Robinson, E. in: PubMed | Google Scholar
1Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
2Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, United States of America
3Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
4Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
5Breast Test Wales, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
6Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
7Diamyd Medical AB, Stockholm, Sweden
Find articles by Thayer, T. in: PubMed | Google Scholar
1Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
2Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, United States of America
3Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
4Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
5Breast Test Wales, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
6Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
7Diamyd Medical AB, Stockholm, Sweden
Find articles by Nakayama, M. in: PubMed | Google Scholar
1Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
2Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, United States of America
3Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
4Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
5Breast Test Wales, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
6Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
7Diamyd Medical AB, Stockholm, Sweden
Find articles by Landry, L. in: PubMed | Google Scholar
1Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
2Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, United States of America
3Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
4Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
5Breast Test Wales, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
6Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
7Diamyd Medical AB, Stockholm, Sweden
Find articles by Andrews, R. in: PubMed | Google Scholar
1Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
2Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, United States of America
3Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
4Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
5Breast Test Wales, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
6Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
7Diamyd Medical AB, Stockholm, Sweden
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1Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
2Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, United States of America
3Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
4Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
5Breast Test Wales, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
6Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
7Diamyd Medical AB, Stockholm, Sweden
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1Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
2Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, United States of America
3Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
4Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
5Breast Test Wales, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
6Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
7Diamyd Medical AB, Stockholm, Sweden
Find articles by Williams, E. in: PubMed | Google Scholar
1Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
2Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, United States of America
3Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
4Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
5Breast Test Wales, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
6Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
7Diamyd Medical AB, Stockholm, Sweden
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1Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
2Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, United States of America
3Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
4Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
5Breast Test Wales, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
6Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
7Diamyd Medical AB, Stockholm, Sweden
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1Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
2Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, United States of America
3Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
4Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
5Breast Test Wales, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
6Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
7Diamyd Medical AB, Stockholm, Sweden
Find articles by Narendran, P. in: PubMed | Google Scholar
1Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
2Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, United States of America
3Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
4Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
5Breast Test Wales, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
6Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
7Diamyd Medical AB, Stockholm, Sweden
Find articles by Wraith, D. in: PubMed | Google Scholar
1Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
2Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, United States of America
3Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
4Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
5Breast Test Wales, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
6Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
7Diamyd Medical AB, Stockholm, Sweden
Find articles by Howell, A. in: PubMed | Google Scholar
1Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
2Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, United States of America
3Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
4Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
5Breast Test Wales, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
6Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
7Diamyd Medical AB, Stockholm, Sweden
Find articles by Young, P. in: PubMed | Google Scholar
1Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
2Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, United States of America
3Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
4Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
5Breast Test Wales, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
6Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
7Diamyd Medical AB, Stockholm, Sweden
Find articles by Hart, M. in: PubMed | Google Scholar
1Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
2Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, United States of America
3Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
4Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
5Breast Test Wales, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
6Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
7Diamyd Medical AB, Stockholm, Sweden
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1Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
2Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, United States of America
3Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
4Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
5Breast Test Wales, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
6Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
7Diamyd Medical AB, Stockholm, Sweden
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Wong, F.
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1Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
2Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, United States of America
3Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
4Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
5Breast Test Wales, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
6Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
7Diamyd Medical AB, Stockholm, Sweden
Find articles by Tree, T. in: PubMed | Google Scholar
1Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
2Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, United States of America
3Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
4Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
5Breast Test Wales, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
6Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
7Diamyd Medical AB, Stockholm, Sweden
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Dayan, C.
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1Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
2Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, United States of America
3Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
4Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
5Breast Test Wales, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
6Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
7Diamyd Medical AB, Stockholm, Sweden
Find articles by Tatovic, D. in: PubMed | Google Scholar
Published September 1, 2026 - More info
Identifying and monitoring autoreactive T cells that drive beta cell destruction remains a major obstacle to developing effective immunotherapies for type 1 diabetes (T1D). These cells are extremely rare in peripheral blood and cannot be accessed directly from the pancreas. We used intradermal injection of Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD)-Alum to recruit GAD-specific T cells to accessible sites in the skin and skin-draining lymph nodes (LNs), sampled by skin suction blisters and ultrasound-guided LN aspiration. Peripheral blood samples obtained before GAD injection were restimulated with GAD in vitro to detect reactive CD4+ T cells. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) followed by re-expression of selected T cell receptors (TCRs) confirmed antigen specificity. Up to 70% of T cells at the skin injection site were clonally-expanded and 4 of 14 (28%) re-expressed TCRs were GAD-reactive. In LNs 1 of 14 (4%) clonally-expanded TCRs was GAD-reactive, representing ~0.08% of all T-cells. GAD-reactive cells across compartments displayed Th1 and Th17-associated transcription signatures. These results demonstrate the intradermal autoantigen challenge and scRNAseq, enable direct identification and molecular profiling of autoreactive T cells in vivo. This minimally invasive approach provides a powerful platform for tracking antigen-specific T cells to monitor disease activity and evaluate immune interventions in T1D.