Assel Mussayeva

Ms. Assel Mussayeva

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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29 December 2025 in Cells
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
DPDimitri Poddighe
Dimitri Poddighe
AMAssel Mussayeva
Assel Mussayeva
KDKuanysh Dossybayeva
Kuanysh Dossybayeva
GZGulsamal Zhubanova
Gulsamal Zhubanova
GGGaliyeva Galiyeva
Galiyeva Galiyeva
NTNaanlep Matthew Tanko
Naanlep Matthew Tanko
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of pancreatic β-cells. Both lymphocytes and various innate immune cells contribute to its immunopathogenesis. Among lymphocytes, in addition to CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, and B cells, growing attention has been directed toward some unconventional T-cell subsets, such as TCRαβ+ double-negative T (DNT) cells, based on findings in several autoimmune/rheumatic diseases. This narrative review aims to summarize and analyze the available data on the potential role of DNT cells (and, in detail, the TCRαβ+ subset) in the immunopathogenesis of autoimmune diabetes/T1DM. Most of the current knowledge regarding DNT cell homeostasis in this pathological setting derives from experimental models, especially Non-Obese Diabetic (NOD) mice. In murine autoimmune diabetes, TCRαβ+DNT cells appear to exert a predominantly protective role against immune-mediated β-cell injury. These cells can be observed in multiple anatomical sites, including the thymus, peripheral blood, secondary lymphoid organs (spleen and lymph nodes) and, under pathological conditions, in non-lymphoid organs, like within the pancreas and, in detail, pancreatic islets, in the setting of autoimmune diabetes. Experimental evidence suggests that TCRαβ+DNT cells may attenuate the CD8+ T cell-mediated destruction of pancreatic β-cells, both directly and indirectly, through the inhibition of CD4+ T cells and B cells implicated in this immunopathological process. Unfortunately, very few studies have examined TCRαβ+DNT cells in patients with T1DM. This important knowledge gap highlights the need for dedicated clinical and translational research to better elucidate the role of TCRαβ+DNT cells in T1DM, especially given the preliminary findings pointing toward their potential immunoregulatory relevance.