The overall objective of this research training program is to provide a broad investigational experience in laboratory or non-laboratory research related to rheumatic diseases. The Program focuses on autoimmunity and the connective tissue diseases. Formal curricula as well as an interdisciplinary emphasis on disease pathogenesis provide a structure for the training program. The program is designed to provide cross- fertilization between individuals with a basic science background and those with clinical training. Pre- doctoral candidates (three positions requested) and postdoctoral fellows (two positions requested) may select mentors from a diverse clinical and basic science faculty. The infrastructure for carrying out clinical research is enhanced by the University's GCRC and the recently funded CTSA. The program in systemic autoimmune disease (lupus, Sjogren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis) is the largest GCRC user. Training opportunities in clinical/translational research were strengthened through faculty recruitment over the past funding period. Research interests of the training faculty fall into the following categories: 1) Myeloid cell function, 2) lymphocyte biology, 3) animal models, 4) immunotherapy, cytokines, chemokines, 5) clinical immunology/biomarkers, 6) stem cell biology, 7) genetics/epigenetics of autoimmune disease, and 8) gene/cell therapy. The training program is largely preceptorial, with more than 75% of the trainee's time devoted to independent research activities and the rest spent in formal courses and conferences. The curriculum is tailored to trainees'individual needs. The Faculty has a strong track record of active collaboration. Participating departments are Medicine;Pediatrics;Pathology, Immunology &Laboratory Medicine;Molecular Genetics &Microbiology;Biochemistry &Molecular Biology;Epidemiology &Biostatistics;Health Policy &Epidemiology;Oral Biology;and Oral Surgery. Trainees completing the program over the past 5 and 10-year periods have been highly successful in terms of research publications and their subsequent career development, and 6 of 11 individuals who have completed their training have assumed positions in academia and 3 in industry.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Institutional National Research Service Award (T32)
Project #
5T32AR007603-15
Application #
8665797
Study Section
Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Special Grants Review Committee (AMS)
Program Officer
Mancini, Marie
Project Start
1998-05-01
Project End
2015-04-30
Budget Start
2014-05-01
Budget End
2015-04-30
Support Year
15
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$211,726
Indirect Cost
$16,410
Name
University of Florida
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
969663814
City
Gainesville
State
FL
Country
United States
Zip Code
32611
Desai, Pritesh; Tahiliani, Vikas; Stanfield, Jessica et al. (2018) Inflammatory monocytes contribute to the persistence of CXCR3hi CX3CR1lo circulating and lung-resident memory CD8+ T cells following respiratory virus infection. Immunol Cell Biol 96:370-378
Desai, Pritesh; Tahiliani, Vikas; Hutchinson, Tarun E et al. (2018) The TNF Superfamily Molecule LIGHT Promotes the Generation of Circulating and Lung-Resident Memory CD8 T Cells following an Acute Respiratory Virus Infection. J Immunol 200:2894-2904
Desai, Pritesh; Tahiliani, Vikas; Abboud, Georges et al. (2018) Batf3-Dependent Dendritic Cells Promote Optimal CD8 T Cell Responses against Respiratory Poxvirus Infection. J Virol 92:
Tahiliani, Vikas; Hutchinson, Tarun E; Abboud, Georges et al. (2017) OX40 Cooperates with ICOS To Amplify Follicular Th Cell Development and Germinal Center Reactions during Infection. J Immunol 198:218-228
Abboud, Georges; Desai, Pritesh; Dastmalchi, Farhad et al. (2016) Tissue-specific programming of memory CD8 T cell subsets impacts protection against lethal respiratory virus infection. J Exp Med 213:2897-2911
Abboud, Georges; Tahiliani, Vikas; Desai, Pritesh et al. (2016) Natural Killer Cells and Innate Interferon Gamma Participate in the Host Defense against Respiratory Vaccinia Virus Infection. J Virol 90:129-41
Sang, Allison; Zheng, Ying Yi; Choi, Seung-Chul et al. (2015) Genetic and cellular dissection of the activation of AM14 rheumatoid factor B cells in a mouse model of lupus. J Leukoc Biol 98:209-21
Nahid, Md A; Satoh, Minoru; Chan, Edward K L (2015) Interleukin 1?-Responsive MicroRNA-146a Is Critical for the Cytokine-Induced Tolerance and Cross-Tolerance to Toll-Like Receptor Ligands. J Innate Immun 7:428-40
Xu, Yuan; Zhuang, Haoyang; Han, Shuhong et al. (2015) Mechanisms of tumor necrosis factor ? antagonist-induced lupus in a murine model. Arthritis Rheumatol 67:225-37
Reeves, Westley H (2014) Editorial: systemic lupus erythematosus: death by fire and ICE? Arthritis Rheumatol 66:6-9

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