Project 4: 'Preventing anti-NMDAR Ab neurotoxicity: Rational therapies for NPSLE'(Diamond PI)Compelling data demonstrate that antibodies cross-reactive with DMA and NMDAreceptors (NMDARs) can mediate manifestations of neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE) inmice. These antibodies can be found in serum, cerebrospinal fluid and brain of lupuspatients. We will test the efficacy of the D pentapeptide or candidate modified peptides inmodels of NPSLE simulating antibody penetration of the blood-brain barrier and antibodyproduction locally within the brain and will determine whether the same peptide(s) canprotect fetal brain against potentially neurotoxic antibody when it is present in the maternalcirculation. Second, we will inhibit inflammatory mediators of the innate immune responsethat increase permeability of the blood-brain barrier to see if these agents can prevent LPSor epinephrine-mediated neuroexposure. These studies, in conjunction with other projectsin this Program, will hopefully lead to a clinical trial in NPSLE, and provide a paradigm forthe development of other therapeutics in immune-mediated brain disease.
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