JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
Grant: $100,000 - National Institutes of Health - Sep. 18, 2009
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Award Description: Lung involvement is currently the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in scleroderma (SSc) patients. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the most common pulmonary manifestation and may result from an abnormal immune response carried out by pro-fibrotic effector T cells. In this study, entitled ?T cell response in scleroderma lung disease: from pathogenesis to clinical care?, we will prospectively study the features and the magnitude of the immune response, and in particular of the pro-fibrotic T cell subsets, in SSc patients before and during the progression to pulmonary fibrosis.
Project Description: The scientific goal of the parent grant is to prospectively study the features and the magnitude of the immune response in SSc patients before and during the progression to pulmonary fibrosis. We hypothesize that in scleroderma the evolution of peripheral blood and lung T cell responses towards a polarized pro-fibrotic Th2/Tc2 phenotype and the expansion of autoreactive topoisomerase-1-specific T cell population contribute to and quantitatively correlate with the onset and progression of interstitial lung disease (ILD). During the first year of the parent grant funding we have optimized the prospective cohort study design and streamlined all the procedures involved with the enrollment of SSc patients, database entry, sample collection and processing. In particular, the study of circulating and BAL cellular components has been greatly expended and refined using a new 4 laser FACSAria instrument. We are now ready to start the enrollment phase and to conduct ex vivo a sophisticated multiparameter flow cytometric analysis measuring the polarization (Th1, Th2 -and Th17), activation, trafficking (chemokine receptors) and memory markers in T cells and other important subsets such as T regulatory, NK and NK-T cells. The effective handling of multiple patient samples and the ?same day? flow cytometric analysis of the immune effector response represent crucial aspects of the parent proposal and a challenging task. The purpose of this Administrative Supplement request is to support a full time research technician assisting the principal investigator in the organization and the conduction of the experimental part of the parent grant, and to provide some additional funds to cover the increased costs of the flow cytometer usage. This will allow the creation of a new job position and greatly accelerate the achievement of the scientific goals included in the parent proposal.
Jobs Summary: No jobs were created or retained. (Total jobs reported: 0)
Project Status: Not Started
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