The skin disease leprosy, caused by the Intracellular pathogen Mycobacterium leprae (mLEP), provides an extraordinary model to study cutaneous immune responses for at least three reasons: i) the disease is still a global health and economic burden, ii) the skin lesions are readily accessible for immunologic study;and, iii) the disease forms a spectrum in which the clinical manifestation correlate with the type of immune response to the pathogen. We propose to test the overall hypothesis that distinct IFNs differentially regulate human gene programs, including the vitamin D-dependent antimicrobial pathway, and thereby contribute to resistance vs. susceptibility to progressive infection in leprosy. The major thematic focus of this application is to understand the role of Type I vs. Type ll IFN pathways in regulatin cutaneous inflammation. The proposed model includes the identification of the mLEP antigens/ligands that induce Type I vs. Type II IFNs, the and downstream induction of antimicrobial activity and immune suppression (Project 1, Modlin) elucidation of the Type I vs. Type II IFN gene programs as related to the site of disease in leprosy and contributing to the distinct functional outcomes in the disease (Project 2, Cheng), understanding the gene clusters and transcriptional control of the IFN gene programs with relationship to the role of vitamin D in modulating these responses (Project 3, Smale);and, investigation of the role of IFNs in regulating vitamin D metabolism and downstream host defense mechanisms (Project 4, Adams), all through the assistance of a Bioinformatics Core (Pellegrini). The Administrative Core to facilitate research interactions between the projects through: i) research seminars, an Enrichment Program and meeting with an expert Advisory Board;ii), extend the research base through a Pilot and Feasibility Project Program;and leverage the resources and environment at UCLA including core facilities, the CTSI (CTSA) and training programs for medical and graduate students as well as those for postdoctoral fellows.

Public Health Relevance

This UCLA Center of Research Translation Immunobiology of Leprosy is composed of a multidisciplinary team involving basic scientists and physician scientists engaged in translational research. Working together, leveraging innovative technologies and institution resources, the proposed research will lead to advances in diagnosis, prevention and treatment of leprosy as well as other skin diseases involving inflammation or caused by microbial pathogens.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Specialized Center (P50)
Project #
5P50AR063020-03
Application #
8712130
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAR1-KM (M1))
Program Officer
Cibotti, Ricardo
Project Start
2012-08-16
Project End
2017-07-31
Budget Start
2014-08-01
Budget End
2015-07-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$1,483,670
Indirect Cost
$505,260
Name
University of California Los Angeles
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
092530369
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90095
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