We seek to understand the molecular mechanism underlying the tissue degeneration characteristic of human amyloid diseases and to use this insight to develop new therapeutic strategies and diagnostics to ameliorate the human amyloidoses.
In specific aim 1, we focus on understanding why aging is such an important risk factor for the onset of the transthyretin amyloidoses. All indications are that amyloid diseases do not result from slow, progressive accumulation of amyloid fibrils over a lifespan. Instead, an aging-related physiological change appears to trigger their onset. Since transthyretin is synthesized and degraded by the liver, and since liver transplantation from an amyloid patient into a liver cancer patient initiates rapid amyloidosis in the latter, we are confident that studying liver physiology in amyloidosis, and normal young and old donors will reveal important clues about the etiology of this disease.
In specific aim 2, we utilize first-in-class amyloidogenesis inhibitors to test the amyloid hypothesis in two placebo-controlled human clinical trials. We will also fractionate specific aggregate morphologies, arrest these intermediates from further assembly and assess their toxicity. Additionally, new technology will be developed to characterize amyloid deposits in the context of the oxidative-metabolite pool, which could contribute to these maladies.
In specific aim 3, we will continue to develop new therapeutic strategies centered around the discovery of secretion modulators, compounds that make cells less permissive to the secretion of highly destabilized amyloidogenic proteins. Unlike the transthyretin-disease specific native state kinetic stabilizers discovered in the last funding period, these compounds should be useful in treating numerous amyloid diseases. Lastly, we seek to develop positron emission tomography (PET) diagnostics to image the earliest aggregates appearing in amyloid diseases in living subjects to enable treatment to begin before substantial tissue degeneration occurs. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award (R37)
Project #
5R37DK046335-16
Application #
7289354
Study Section
Macromolecular Structure and Function B Study Section (MSFB)
Program Officer
Wright, Daniel G
Project Start
1993-05-01
Project End
2011-06-30
Budget Start
2007-07-01
Budget End
2008-06-30
Support Year
16
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$575,212
Indirect Cost
Name
Scripps Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
781613492
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92037
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