Research grants: current studies
The number one priority of the National Psoriasis Foundation is to find a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. To get from here to a cure, we are increasing our financial support of innovative research projects through the expansion of our grant program.
The Foundation's grant program emphasizes innovative psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis research projects in genetics, immunology or clinical research focused on understanding the mechanism of the disease. The program is designed to provide researchers with funding to generate preliminary data that can be used in grant applications to the National Institutes of Health.
2009 grant recipients
The National Psoriasis Foundation awarded five $50,000 grants to the following researchers:
| Richard Gallo, M.D., Ph.D., University of California-San Diego, "Roles of innate immunity in TH17 regulation"
Dr. Gallo's research will determine if psoriasis is triggered when CAMP, a naturally
occurring antibiotic produced by the skin, binds to the body's own DNA.
If Dr. Gallo's hypothesis is proven, CAMP may be a new target for
treatment.
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| Nicole Ward, Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University, "Cardiovascular co-morbidities in a psoriasiform mouse model"
This study explores the connection between skin inflammation and the risk
for heart attacks. Ward and her team will also try to identify who is
at risk for developing heart diseases and methods for prevention.
|
| Annemieke de Jong, Ph.D., Harvard's Brigham and Women's Hospital, "Activation of CD1a reactive T cells in human psoriasis"
Dr. de Jong research will determine whether a molecule called CD1, which is expressed by immune
cells in the skin, triggers the body to produce interleukin-22, a
factor often associated with psoriasis. A better understanding of this
immune pathway may yield clues to new treatments and the disease
process.
|
| Prachi Agarwal, M.D., University of Michigan, "Premature coronary artery diseases in severe psoriasis"
This study looks at whether people with psoriasis have an increased risk of
heart attacks due to the buildup of atherosclerotic plaques (hardening
of the arteries) in their hearts. This knowledge could be used to
better determine the connection between psoriasis and heart attacks.
|
| Yuangang Liu, Ph.D., Oregon Health and Science University, "CCL20 regulation by Trim32 in psoriasis"
Dr. Liu is researching how the immune system increases the production of a
skin protein called Trim32. As a consequence, the skin produces CCL20
which triggers the accumulation of psoriasis-inducing immune cells in
the skin. This study could provide a basis for developing treatments
that target skins cells rather than the immune system.
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