Introduction
Autoimmunity is controlled in healthy individuals by cells that actively control immune responses to self so that the body is tolerant of it’s own tissues. The Long Lab focuses on understanding mechanisms of tolerance, why they are lost in autoimmunity, and how tolerance can be augmented with therapy.
Our approach combines in-depth characterization of T cells that confer tolerance, discovery of drivers of tolerance, and testing of how therapies modulate tolerance in trials. We use cutting-edge single cell assays to assess rare antigen-specific responses in clinical samples, with a focus on type 1 diabetes and related autoimmune diseases. These approaches are complemented by work in the Human Immunophenotyping Core.
Our goal is to better treat and prevent autoimmunity by augmenting T cell tolerance.
Lab Members
Christine Bender, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Long & Speake Lab; Center for Translational Immunology
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Joshua Centore, PhD
PostDoctoral Research Associate, Long Lab; Center for Translational Immunology
Sarah Kobernat, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Long Lab; Human Immunophenotyping Core; Center for Translational Immunology
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Alice Wiedeman, PhD
Manager, Human Immunophenotyping Core Lab; Center for Translational Immunology
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Past Lab Members
Long Lab
- Valerie Wall – Notch Therapeutics
- Rebecca LaFond – Mason Univeristy
- Duangchan Suwannasaen – Flow Contract Site
- Katharine Schwedhelm – Fred Hutch
HIP Core
- Lori Blanchfeild – Alpine Immune Sciences
- Bryce Fuchs – University of Utah
- Jerill Thorpe – Bristol Myers Squibb
- Megan Maers – University of Washington
- Nathan Alidina – AGC Biologics
- Ian Frank – Sony Biotechnology
Research Projects
Drivers of CD8 T cells exhaustion in autoimmunity
We are investigating what factors promote exhausted CD8 T cells, a cell type associated with better outcome in T1D.
Impact of IL-2/IL-2R signaling in T1D
We are investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying reduced IL-2R singaling in effector CD4 T cells of T1D subjects.
Mechanisms of tolerance with autoimmune therapies
We use longitudinal studies to determine immune changes that correlate with disease progression and response to therapy.
Featured Publications
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Feb 2021
Exhausted-like CD8+ T cell phenotypes linked to C-peptide preservation in alefacept-treated T1D subjects.
JCI InsightDiggins KE, Serti E, Muir V, Rosasco M, Lu T, Balmas E, Nepom GT, Long SA, Linsley PS -
Jan 2020
Autoreactive CD8+ T cell exhaustion distinguishes subjects with slow type 1 diabetes progression.
J Clin InvestWiedeman AE, Muir VS, Rosasco MG, DeBerg HA, Presnell S, Haas B, Dufort MJ, Speake C, Greenbaum CJ, Serti E, Nepom GT, Blahnik G, Kus AM, James EA, Linsley PS, Long SA -
Aug 2019
An Anti-CD3 Antibody, Teplizumab, in Relatives at Risk for Type 1 Diabetes.
N Engl J MedHerold KC, Bundy BN, Long SA, Bluestone JA, DiMeglio LA, Dufort MJ, Gitelman SE, Gottlieb PA, Krischer JP, Linsley PS, Marks JB, Moore W, Moran A, Rodriguez H, Russell WE, Schatz D, Skyler JS, Tsalikian E, Wherrett DK, Ziegler AG, Greenbaum CJ, Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet Study Group. -
Jun 2019
Dynamic Immune Phenotypes of B and T Helper Cells Mark Distinct Stages of T1D Progression.
DiabetesHabib T, Long SA, Samuels PL, Brahmandam A, Tatum M, Funk A, Hocking AM, Cerosaletti K, Mason MT, Whalen E, Rawlings DJ, Greenbaum CJ, Buckner JH, Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet Study Group. -
Nov 2016
Partial exhaustion of CD8 T cells and clinical response to teplizumab in new-onset type 1 diabetes.
Sci ImmunolLong SA, Thorpe J, DeBerg HA, Gersuk V, Eddy J, Harris KM, Ehlers M, Herold KC, Nepom GT, Linsley PS
January 12, 2024
New Grant Fuels Research Into Preventing Autoimmunity
Naive T cells are like the rookies of your immune system. They’re young and inexperienced. They grow up to do different jobs, most of which help protect your body from viruses and bacteria. But a few stray down the wrong path — growing up to become cells that cause autoimmune disease.
September 28, 2023
Meet BRI's Summer 2023 Interns
Each summer, BRI hosts undergraduate interns from universities across the country. They join various BRI labs and departments to take on research projects with mentorship from our scientists. Meet this year's interns and learn about the exciting projects they worked on.
March 14, 2023
Prediction and Prevention: A New Paradigm in Autoimmune Disease
The FDA recently approved teplizumab, a groundbreaking therapy that signals a paradigm shift in treating not only T1D but all autoimmune diseases.
Science in Seattle: A first-in-human, open-label Phase 1b and a randomised, double-blind Phase 2a clinical trial in recent-onset type 1 diabetes with AG019 as monotherapy and in combination with teplizumab
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BRI Investigator Alice Long, PhD, Interviewed on the Immunology Podcast
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