My research is primarily involved in type 1 (insulin-dependent or juvenile-onset) diabetes. Immune white cells, such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells protect us from infections by killing infected cells. Conversely, defects in their function or regulation lead to autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes. In both these disorders, I collaborate with Dr. Rusung Tan in trying to understand the defects in these cells in order to develop new therapies and prevention strategies for this disease.

I also am involved in research related to the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes and its associated co-morbidities in youth and adolescents.

Autoimmunity in type 1 diabetes
Type 1 (juvenile-onset) diabetes mellitus arises from a T-cell-mediated autoimmune process directed against pancreatic beta cells in both humans and non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. The destruction of beta cells is mediated by CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Using MHC class I tetrameric complexes to detect and determine the frequency of autoreactive CTL in NOD mice, we have developed a predictive algorithm for disease. In collaboration with Drs. Rusung Tan and Bruce Verchere , we are hoping to extend these findings to humans with type 1 diabetes through the identification of HLA class I restricted epitopes. This work is funded by the National Institutes of Health. As well, Dr. Rusung Tan and I are funded by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to develop high avidity peptide analogs of a previously published epitope to increase the utility of HLA class I tetramers. The broad, long-term objectives of this work are to develop a novel technology for the prediction, prevention and treatment of type 1 diabetes. Work is also funded by the Canadian Diabetes Association to understand the role of natural killer cells in type 1 diabetes pathogenesis.

Cooking for Your Life! (CFYL!)
CFYL! is a partnership program between BC Children's Hospital and the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) and funded by the BC Children's Hospital Foundation - Telethon Projects. Currently operating as a pilot project for youth with type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance and their families, CFYL! is based on the CDA's successful cooking classes for adults offered in Lower Mainland community centres. Like the original program, the youth and family program offers a four-week, hands-on cooking and nutrition class taught by a registered dietician and a cooking educator. It includes an interactive shopping tour that teaches participants how to read and use food labels. These classes and recipes are tailored not only for a diabetic-friendly diet but also to reflect the tastes and lifestyles of children and teens.

Oxidative Stress and Methyl Metabolism in Children with Obesity
I am collaborating with Dr. Sheila Innis , Dr. Avi Lemberg and Dr. K. Jacobsen on a research project to determine the etiology of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in youth with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Processing of pro Islet Amyloid Polypeptide (proIAPP): Role in islet amyloid formation
I am collaborating with Dr. Bruce Verchere on a research project to understand how IAPP (islet amyloid polypeptide) is processed in people with type 2 diabetes compared with healthy individuals.

Zorzi A, Wahi G, Macnab AJ, Panagiotopoulos C. Prevalence of Impaired Glucose Tolerance and the Components of Metabolic Syndrome in Canadian Tsimshian Nation children. Canadian Journal of Rural Medicine Spring 2009; 14(2): 61-67.

Wahi G, Klimek A, Macnab AJ, Panagiotopoulos D.: Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome among Canadian First Nations Children in a Remote Pacific Coast Community. Paediatrics and Child Health. 2009 Feb;14(2):79-83

Gagnon R, Gagnon F, Panagiotopoulos C.: Aircraft loading and freezer enhancements: lessons for medical research in remote communities. Air Med J. 2008 Jul-Aug;27(4):188-92.

Sellers EAC, Panagiotopoulos C, Lawson M. Type 2 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents.  Canadian Diabetes Association 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada. Canadian Journal of Diabetes 2008; 32 (Suppl 1): S162-167.

Nichol H, Retallack J, Panagiotopoulos C*. Cooking For Your Life!: A family-centered, community-based nutrition education program for youth with type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. Canadian Journal of Diabetes 2008; 32(1): 29-36.

Panagiotopoulos C, Rozmus J, Gagnon RE, Macnab AJ. Diabetes screening of children in a remote First Nations community on the west coast of Canada: challenges and solutions. Rural and Remote Health 2007;7:771 (online).

Ouyang Q, Standifer NE, Qin H, Verchere CB, Nepom GT, Tan R, Panagiotopoulos C. Recognition of HLA class I-restricted beta cell epitopes in type 1 diabetes. Diabetes 2006; 55: 3068-3074.

Standifer NE, Ouyang Q, Panagiotopoulos C, Verchere CB, Tan R, Greenbaum CJ, Pihoker C, Nepom GT. Identification of novel HLA-A*0201 restricted epitopes in recent-onset type 1 diabetic subjects and antibody-positive relatives. Diabetes 2006; 55: 3061-3067.

Panagiotopoulos C, Trudeau JD, Tan R. T-cell epitopes in type 1 diabetes. Current Diabetes Reports 2004; 4:87-94

Panagiotopoulos C, Qin H, Tan R, Verchere CB. Identification of a β-cell specific MHC class I restricted epitope in type 1 diabetes. Diabetes 2003; 52: 2647-51

Brian Dufton Memorial Manuscript Award, Canadian Diabetes Association - 2003

Pamela Lutley - Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator (604-875-2345, ext. 6658)