Fw: Please Post ~ Scleroderma Research Receives A Boost From MultipleNIH Grants

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Subject: Please Post ~ Scleroderma Research Receives A Boost From

MultipleNIH Grants

> ~~~ Thanks much to Lany! ~~~

>

> Scleroderma Research Receives A Boost From Multiple NIH Grants

>

> http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/333/341/346264.html

>

>

> February 22, 2002

>

> BETHESDA, MD (NIH) -- Ten new research grants on scleroderma (systemic

> sclerosis) have been funded by the National Institute of Arthritis and

> Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) at the National Institutes of

> Health (NIH). The grants, totaling more than $2 million per year,

> include both basic and clinical research studies. The Office of Research

> on Women's Health (ORWH) co-funded two of the grants.

>

> " These research grants will provide new clues to understanding this

> disease, which is an important step towards prevention and cure, " said

> I. Katz, M.D., Ph.D., director of the NIAMS. " The grants

> complement our already considerable investment in scleroderma research,

> which includes support of two specialized centers of research on the

> disease, as well as the recent funding of a Multidisciplinary Clinical

> Research Center on pediatric rheumatic diseases, such as juvenile

> scleroderma. "

>

> Scleroderma, often referred to as a single disease, is actually a

> symptom of a group of diseases that involves the abnormal growth of

> connective tissue, which supports the skin and internal organs. In some

> forms of scleroderma, hard, tight skin is the extent of the disease. In

> other forms, however, the problem goes much deeper, affecting blood

> vessels and internal organs, such as heart, lungs, and kidneys. In

> scleroderma, the immune system is thought to stimulate cells called

> fibroblasts to produce excess collagen.

>

> Currently, there is no treatment that controls or stops the underlying

> problem: the overproduction of collagen. Little is known about the

> cellular changes that cause the skin and organs to harden, and the

> disease may be difficult to diagnose.

>

> Understanding the early cellular and molecular changes in scleroderma

> will help scientists to develop more effective treatments. The following

> projects will increase our understanding of the causes of scleroderma

> and bring us closer to finding treatments:

>

> Cellular And Molecular Processes In Scleroderma

>

> " Immune Recognition of Modified Antigen in Scleroderma " , W.

> Hoffman, M.D., University of Missouri, Columbia. This study investigates

> the biochemistry of a characteristic autoantibody seen in scleroderma.

>

> " The Molecular Basis for Endothelial Dysfunction in Systemic Sclerosis " ,

> Bashar Kahaleh, M.D., Medical College of Ohio at Toledo. Small blood

> vessel abnormalities are seen in early scleroderma. This project

> investigates molecular and cellular mechanisms that may cause this

> dysfunction.

>

> " Fine Specificity of Scleroderma Autoantibodies " , Judith A. , M.D.,

> Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City. This study examines

> the autoantibodies and where they bind in the tissue to determine their

> role in the development of scleroderma. (Co-funded by ORWH)

>

> " Study of Persistent Infection in Systemic Sclerosis Skin and Vessels " ,

> Maureen D. Mayes, M.D., Wayne State University, Detroit. This project

> examines persistent bacterial infection of the skin or small blood

> vessels as a potential cause of scleroderma. Results could lead to

> treatments that target the bacterial infection.

>

> " Studies of Collagen Gene Regulation in Two Murine Models of

> Scleroderma " , H. , Ph.D., University of Connecticut School

> of Medicine and Dentistry, Farmington. This project uses two mouse

> models to better understand the molecular mechanisms that increase

> accumulation of collagen in the skin characteristic of scleroderma.

> (Co-funded by ORWH)

>

> " Self- and Foreign-Lipids Presented by CD1 in Scleroderma " , S.

> , M.D., Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston. This study

> investigates the interactions of CD1 proteins and T cells in the

> development of scleroderma.

> Cell Transfer Between Mother And Child And Scleroderma

>

> " HLA Alleles, Self-Peptides and Microbial Mimicry in Systemic

> Sclerosis " , J. Lee , M.D., Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center,

> Seattle. Blood cells move between mother and child during pregnancy and

> may remain in either or both. This project studies blood cells from

> scleroderma patients and controls to determine their origin and role in

> the development of scleroderma.

>

> " T Cells in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis " , D.

> Platsoucas, Ph.D., Temple University, Philadelphia. Later in life,

> maternal immune cells can be found in the child and fetal immune cells

> in the mother. This study will investigate the origin and role of these

> immune cells in the skin of scleroderma patients.

> Research Projects On Innovative Therapies For Scleroderma:

>

> " Chemokine Antagonists in a Murine Model for Scleroderma " , Anita C.

> Gilliam, M.D., Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland. This project

> uses a mouse model to study the early inflammatory events of skin

> fibrosis. This research will facilitate the early diagnosis of

> scleroderma so that treatment can be more effective. The mouse model

> allows investigators to test inhibitors to inflammation in animals

> before testing them in humans.

>

> " UV-Induced Collagen Reduction for Treating Skin Scleroderma " , Sewon

> Kang, M.D., University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. This study tests the

> effectiveness of UV phototherapy for the treatment of localized forms of

> scleroderma.

>

> The award of these grants is the result of the special solicitation for

> research applications on scleroderma, AR- 00-007 entitled " Molecular

> Pathogenesis and New Interventions in Scleroderma "

> (http://www.niams.nih.gov/rtac/funding/grants/rfa/ar00- 007.htm). This

> RFA was based in part on the scientific opportunities identified in the

> conference cosponsored by NIAMS, " Emerging Opportunities in Scleroderma

> Research. "

>

> A summary of the conference can be found at

> http://www.niams.nih.gov/ne/reports/sci_wrk/1997/sclersum.h tm.

>

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