Impact of the Gut Metagenome on Autoimmunity скачать в хорошем качестве

Impact of the Gut Metagenome on Autoimmunity

Dr. Diane Kamen, of the Medical University of South Carolina, is investigating whether microbes in the gut are capable of contributing to the development of lupus in African Americans with a genetic predisposition for the disease. Her work is being supported by the Lupus Foundation of America's National Research Program through the Lifeline Grant Award. The award is intended to keep an investigator’s project on track while they reapply for larger federal grants. Lupus disproportionately affects young African American women. The cause of lupus is unknown but felt to be due to environmental exposures in individuals with a genetic predisposition for autoimmunity. Identification of gut microbial factors capable of modulating autoimmunity, either as triggers or regulators of the autoimmune response, is crucial in contributing to our understanding as to why autoimmunity arises and progresses and, very importantly, will create opportunities for interventions that could lessen disease incidence and severity.