Accession Number:

ADA586843

Title:

The Integrative Studies of Genetic and Environmental Factors in Systemic Sclerosis

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. 9 Apr 2007-8 Apr 2011

Corporate Author:

TEXAS UNIV HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON

Personal Author(s):

• Zhou, Xiaodong

Report Date:

2011-05-01

Pagination or Media Count:

98.0

Abstract:

This project aims to study interactions between genetic and environmental factors in a viable system - human fibroblasts. Fibroblasts obtained from scleroderma SSc patients have a profibrotic nature that suggests a possibility of a dysregulation of biological function in the cells. On the other hand, SSc occurs in genetically susceptible individuals. A SSc susceptible genetic background may be more vulnerable to environmental triggers, such as silica a potential SSc trigger. Studies of biological functions of fibroblasts with and without SSc susceptible backgrounds in response to potential environmental triggers will provide a great opportunity to understand etiopathogenesis of SSc.

Descriptors:

• *ATHEROSCLEROSIS
• ENVIRONMENTS
• FIBROBLASTS
• GENE EXPRESSION
• GENETICS

Subject Categories:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Medicine and Medical Research

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE