Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-sorted naïve CD4+ T cells from patients with T1D or healthy controls were labeled with CFSE, stimulated with glutamate decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) protein loaded autologous DCs for 48 h (with or without IL-7) and analyzed by confocal or time-lapse microscopy with CD4 and Hoechst staining. Here, IL7 is linked to type 1 diabetes mellitus.