DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The objectives of this proposal are to develop and characterize a new congenic rat model with spontaneous autoimmune disease. In Phase 1 we will establish a foundation colony of LEW.1WR1 rats and begin genetic crosses to introgress traits… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The primary goals of stem cell biology are to develop practical cell-based tools: 1) to enhance the repair of damaged organs and tissues; and 2) as vehicles for gene therapy to introduce engineered genes to the body to either correct a genetic defect or to… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Coronary artery disease affects 12 million Americans and is the number on killer in the United States. Diabetes affects over 16 million Americans, with more than 80,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Cardiovascular complications of diabetes kills 75% of… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Neuronal dysfunction is the leading complication associated with diabetes. Diabetic patients experience both cognitive impairment and a collection of syndromes termed "diabetic neuropathies". Although many of the pathways involved in initiating… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Approximately 1 out of every 5 Americans is infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Localized genital infection by HSV-2 results in painful recurring genital lesions while disseminated infection can involve multiple visceral organs and lethal… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Approximately 1 out of every 5 Americans is infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Localized genital infection by HSV-2 results in painful recurring genital lesions while disseminated infection can involve m ultiple visceral organs and lethal… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Autoimmune diseases comprise the third most common category of illness in the United States affecting an estimated 22 million Americans. To date, therapeutic and preventive strategies for human autoimmune diseases (b ased on the restoration of immune… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) affects ~ 2 million Americans with devastating impact on multiple organs, especially the skin, joints, kidney, and brain. Therapeutic strategies for lupus are largely palliative orimmunosuppressive with serious toxicities.… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a highly infectious member of the paramyxovirus family causing upper and lower respiratory tract infections. RSV infection is the leading cause of pulmonary disease of the lower respiratory tract (bronchiolitis,… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that afflicts at least 2.5 million Americans. This autoimmune disease is 2-3 times more common in women and typically affects the small joints in the hands and feet. Current therapeutic strategies include… More