Research Interest

Christiane Hampe, Ph.D., Associate Professor: Effects of autoantibodies in Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) and neurological autoimmune diseases. Both diseases are characterized by the presence of autoantibodies to GAD65 (GAD65Ab)
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She recently identified a novel potentially regulatory element in the pathogenesis of T1D. Analysis of B lymphocytes in T1D patients and in healthy individuals is ongoing to determine why T1D patients do not generate high levels of this regulatory factor.

In Stiff Person Syndrome GAD65Ab inhibit the enzyme’s activity and result in a deficit in the major inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, possibly causing clinical symptoms such as muscle spasms and stiffness. In collaboration with research teams in Europe and Japan, the Hampe lab explores the pathogenic mechanism of GAD65Ab in SPS.