Role of Adhesion Molecules in Autoimmune Vasculitis

Funded Activity Summary

Lupus is a disease which causes inflammation and pain throughout the body. The inflammation is caused by white blood cells attacking the lining of blood vessels in tissues. The aim of this project is to understand the reasons why these white blood cells attack the blood vessel lining. This process is impossible to study in humans. However, there is a strain of mouse which is affected by a disease which is very similar to human lupus. This disease occurs spontaneously in these mice. Using a microscope, it is possible to study the tiny blood vessels which are affected by this disease in these mice . Under the microscope, it is possible to see the white blood cells as they undergo the process of attacking the blood vessel lining. Visualizing this attack then allows us to study it and determine which molecules are important in causing this damaging inflammatory response. Specifically I will examine diseased blood vessels in the skin and brain of these mice, two of the tissues most dramatically affected by this disease. This information should help us gain an increased understanding of lupus as it affects humans.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2001

End Date: 01-01-2003

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $377,036.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Rheumatology And Arthritis

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

adhesion molecules | intravital microscopy | leukocyte recruitment | rheumatology | systemic lupus erythematosus | vasculitis

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