FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 10, 2003

Arthritis National Research Foundation Announces
Grant Recipients for 2003-2004

Long Beach, CA -- The Arthritis National Research Foundation (ANRF) proudly awarded ten exemplary post-doctoral scientists research grants totaling $486,275 for the 2003-2004 grant cycle. ANRF makes grants on an annual basis to post-doctoral scientists associated with research laboratories in non-profit institutions across the country. The grant recipients received the highest priority scores as determined in the NIH-level review by the ANRF’s renowned Scientific Advisory Board:

Vyacheslav Adarichev, Ph.D., Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center, received a grant for his project entitled, Gender Effect on Arthritis Phenotypes in a Murine Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Dr. Adarichev is the 2003 recipient of The Sontag Foundation Fellowship of the Arthritis National research Foundation. This is the third such special fellowship award thanks to the sponsorship of The Sontag Foundation of Jacksonville, Florida and their commitment to supporting rheumatoid arthritis research.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is one of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases, affecting approximately 1% of all humans. RA is a systemic disease and may eventually affect not only inflammation of joints, but also other organs throughout the body such as kidneys, lungs and heart. Dr. Adarichev is studying RA at the genetic level, utilizing a mouse model for human RA, which resembles RA in clinical symptoms and genetics. He has found that female animals are more susceptible than males, as in human RA patients. The investigation will center on the immunological and genetic mechanisms and effects of gender on arthritis. This information can be adopted for and will accelerate corresponding human studies, possibly helping in the early diagnosis of RA in humans, and to serve as a background for new RA therapies.

Abdallah Badou, Ph.D., Yale University School of Medicine-Howard Hughes Medical Institute, received a grant award to for his project, Cav1 (L-type) calcium channels as target for manipulation CD4+ T cell response.

Dr. Badou is studying how T-cells are activated in RA. These T-cells orchestrate getting the immune system involved in RA. Badou has identified specific proteins, Cav 1, responsible for causing cytokine release. He intends to define the role of each class of Cav1 channels in T-cell function. Selectively blocking one class of Cav1 channels would only partially alter the calcium response, inhibiting the activation of cells with limited side toxic effects. If he can block the activation step, i.e. block the specific calcium channel involved, it opens the door for new drugs targeting T-cell activation.

Dr. Badou, ANRF’s top scoring applicant for this grant cycle, was awarded the Polard Memorial Fellowship of the ANRF, made in memory of Robert and Dorothy Polard.

Emmanuel Dejardin, Ph.D., La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, is recipient of a grant for his project, Role of NF-kB2/p100 processing in BAFF expression.

Dr. Dejardin’s has identified molecular pathways that lead to the activation of two subsets of genes. One pathway is implicated in the expression of pro-inflammatory genes. The second pathway controls another subset of genes, which are important for lymphoid tissue development. He plans to study these pathways that could reveal promising therapeutic targets for controlling autoimmune diseases such as RA and lupus.

Dana Duren, Ph.D., Wright State University, was awarded a grant for her project, Lifetime Patterns of Body Mass and Quantitative Measure of Osteoarthritis Risk.

Adulthood obesity is known to be associated with risk for osteoarthritis (OA). Yet, it is currently unknown what influence childhood or early adulthood weight patterns may have on later risk for joint disease. Dr. Duren is investigating the effects of lifelong fluctuations of body weight on the normal and pathological progression of aging joints. Early detection of causes of bone alteration and cartilage loss as a result of Dr. Duren’s research may provide an important link to later development of OA and contribute to future interventions in individuals at greatest risk.

Eric Greidinger, M.D., So. Florida VA Foundation, University of Miami, was awarded a grant for his project entitled, Role of TLR 3 in Autoimmunity to RNA Binding Proteins.

Many forms of arthritis are autoimmune diseases because they are associated with immune responses directed against self-proteins. A feature of many of the commonly targeted self-proteins is their ability to bind to RNA. Dr. Greidinger’s project is studying why proteins that bind to RNA may be favorable targets for autoimmunity. This work may lead to new avenues of inquiry for the development of treatments to prevent or treat autoimmune diseases, and may lead to new methods to identify individuals at risk for the development of these conditions.
Dr. Greidinger also has the honor of being named the Wolstenholm Memorial Fellow, in memory of Murlyn V. Wolstenholm.

Gabriella Lakos, M.D., Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago, received a grant award for her project, Modulation of Fibrosis by Statins in Murine Model of Scleroderma.

Scleroderma is a chronic, progressive multi-system connective tissue disorder of unknown etiology with no effective treatment. Five-year mortality approaches 40%, largely due to scarring of vital organs. Dr. Lakos’s study provides insight in the pathogenesis of scleroderma, and facilitates evaluating potential new treatments. Results from Dr. Lakos’s studies will indicate if statins (a widely used cholesterol lowering drug with potent anti-inflammatory and vasoprotective properties) can be considered reasonable and safe therapeutic interventions in scleroderma.

David S. Leslie, M.D., Brigham & Women’s Hospital, was awarded a grant for his study of pediatric arthritis entitled, Lipid Antigen Presentation by Endothelial Cells: A Molecular Model of Kawasaki Disease.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is the leading cause of acquired heart disease among children in the U.S., causing damage to the blood vessels, including those that supply the heart. Dr. Leslie will study the role of a molecule called CD1, which can present self-lipid molecules to host immune cells (T cells), known factors in the inflammatory processes in lupus and other autoimmune diseases. Dr. Leslie will also analyze cytokines in patients for their effect on CD1 expression and inflammation. An improved understanding of the basic mechanisms involved will help guide improved diagnosis and treatment for children affected by these conditions.

Monica M. Schaller, Ph.D., Scripps Research Institute, received a grant award for a continuation of her project, Autoantibodies to GPI in human inflammatory arthritides.

Dr. Schaller enjoys the distinction of receiving an ANRF grant award in two consecutive years. She was also the Sontag Foundation Fellow for 2002-2003. This is a continuation of her study from the previous year, seeking to increase the understanding of an enzyme, GPI, shown to provoke arthritis when transferred to healthy mice. The development of an arthritis model using human anti-GPI antibodies would facilitate testing compounds able to block anti-GPI antibodies. Such compounds could then be used for treatment of RA patients.

Hui Wu, M.D., UCLA School of Medicine, received a grant for his project, Fine mapping of the significantly linked SLE susceptibility loci at 1q23-24 in multiethnic groups.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE or lupus) occurs more frequently in families of SLE than in the general population. Recently, Dr. Wu has observed strong evidence that the long arm of chromosome 1 may contain genetic risk factors for SLE. He has narrowed the interval harboring this risk factor and warrants further effort in fine mapping for identification of the putative susceptibility gene(s). An understanding of the genes involved in the development of SLE may provide targets to develop more focused therapy for lupus.

Song Guo Zheng, M.D., University of Southern California, received a grant for his project, Generation of antigen-specific T regulatory cells in TCR transgenic mice to prevent the collagen-induced arthritis.
The objective of Dr. Zheng’s project is to develop therapy for RA that is effective, but without significant toxicity. RA and the other autoimmune diseases are disorders of immune regulation. All individuals have potentially harmful self-reactive T cells that are normally held in check by immune “policeman” called T regulatory (Tr) cells. It is believed that RA patients lack sufficient Tr cells to suppress the inflammation in affected joints.

Dr. Zheng’s laboratory has developed the ability to induce T cells to develop strong suppressive activity ex-vivo (outside the body) and have acquired evidence from animal models that that these cells can block immune-mediated inflammation in vivo (in the body) when transferred back to the animals. The success of this project will raise the possibility that Tr cells induced ex-vivo can also be used to treat RA patients.

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The Arthritis National Research Foundation (ANRF), based in Long Beach, California, is committed to funding the work of researchers dedicated to helping the over 43 million Americans who suffer with arthritis. The ANRF funds highly qualified researchers associated with non-profit research facilities, universities and hospitals throughout the country. ANRF grant recipients are seeking new knowledge for the prevention, treatment and cure of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other rheumatic diseases.

For more information on the Arthritis National Research Foundation, call 800-588-2873, e-mail, anrf@ix.netcom.com, or visit our website, www.curearthritis.org