2004-2005
The following is a description of a study from one of the many researchers that our organization has funded.
Plasmacytoid dendritic cell production of IFN-alpha in lupus prone mice
Susan Kovats, Ph.D.
Beckman Research Institute/City of Hope
Duarte, California
Dr. Kovats will be working with former ANRF grant recipient, Chaim Jacob, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Southern California to study the role of the cytokines, interferon-alpha (IFN), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and immune cells termed dendritic cells, during onset and progress of lupus-like disease in lupus prone-mice. Excess IFN is thought to contribute to the immune cell dysfunction in lupus. Normally, this IFN production by dendritic cells would be turned off by TNF. Lupus-prone mice have low levels of TNF due to a genetic alteration, and systemic treatment of these mice with TNF reduced lupus progression and severity.
Ultimately, these experiments will lead to a greater understanding of the biological mechanisms behind the effects of TNF and IFN in lupus patients, thus aiding future strategies of immune intervention in SLE.
You may return to the list of research that we have funded.
