This program is designed to foster research at the Ponce School of Medicine. The primary goals are to develop a level of basic medical research that will fill specific gaps in our medical knowledge; be recognized by publication in exemplary scientific journals; promote participation at scientific meetings; contribute to the understanding of medical problems particularly relevant to Puerto Rico; and contribute to the training of graduate and medical students. This program represents the combined efforts of seven investigators: three in pharmacology, two in biochemistry, one in immunology, and one in parasitology. Each subproject addresses a research problem that is well within the expertise of the investigator; has the support of solid preliminary data; and has been subjected to critical external review. Most of the investigators have published previously in outstanding scientific journals. Puerto Rico faces a spectrum of medical problems more serious than in the U.S.; these include mental health, tropical parasites, heart disease, and muscular dystrophy. The proposal of Chiu concerns the study of anxiety and its relationship to certain drug receptors. The proposal of Maldonado addresses a vaccine solution to canine filariasis as a reasonable prerequisite to potential strategies for human filariasis and other tropical parasitic diseases. Zavecz's proposal addresses the effect of drugs on pulmonary and heart disease with particular emphasis on calcium-muscle relationships. Breithaupt proposes to use the platelet model to explore the basic genetic lesion in muscular dystrophy. Yamamura and Eylar propose to elucidate cellular and molecular lesions in aged immune cells. The subproposals also engender collaboration. The proposals of Schriefer, Breithaupt and Eylar will focus on protein kinase targets and phosphorylation mechanisms. The proposals of Yamamura and Eylar will emphasize interleukins 1 and 2, respectively. The protocol of Maldonado must rely on both hybridoma and gene technology as well as parasitology. All of the subprojects offer the graduate student productive laboratory facilities, a variety of modern techniques, challenging problems, a stimulating atmosphere, and a basic training experience. The opinion prevails that summer research experience for the medical students will ultimately produce more knowledgeable physicians. The program proposed will elevate the research productivity at Ponce School of Medicine and have a marked impact on the medical scene in Puerto Rico.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
Type
Minority Biomedical Research Support - MBRS (S06)
Project #
5S06RR008239-02
Application #
3514299
Study Section
General Research Support Program Advisory Committee (GRS)
Project Start
1986-09-30
Project End
1989-05-31
Budget Start
1987-06-01
Budget End
1988-05-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Ponce School of Medicine
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Ponce
State
PR
Country
United States
Zip Code
00732
Eylar, E H; Lefranc, C; Baez, I et al. (2001) Enhanced interferon-gamma by CD8+ CD28- lymphocytes from HIV+ patients. J Clin Immunol 21:135-44
Eylar, E H; Baez, I; Lefranc, C E et al. (1997) The proliferative response of HIV+ T-cells (CD4+ and CD8+) are severely suppressed via CD28 coactivation. Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand) 43:989-93
Breithaupt, T B; Vazquez, A; Baez, I et al. (1996) The suppression of T cell function and NF(kappa)B expression by serine protease inhibitors is blocked by N-acetylcysteine. Cell Immunol 173:124-30
Eylar, E H; Baez, I; Vazquez, A et al. (1995) Suppressed proliferative response and interleukin-2 production in hispanic HIV+ and AIDS T-cell subsets. Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand) 41 Suppl 1:S25-33
Eylar, E H; Baez, I; Vazquez, A et al. (1995) N-acetylcysteine (NAC) enhances interleukin-2 but suppresses interleukin-4 secretion from normal and HIV+ CD4+ T-cells. Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand) 41 Suppl 1:S35-40
Eylar, E H; Rivera-Quinones, C; Laroche, H I et al. (1994) Proliferative response of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets from Hispanics with HIV+ and AIDS: the superantigen hypothesis. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 7:124-8
Breithaupt, T B; Rivera-Quinones, C; Molina, C et al. (1993) Anti-CD2-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of T cell polypeptides is independent of the PMA-induced modification of p56lck. Cell Immunol 147:139-47
Eylar, E; Rivera-Quinones, C; Molina, C et al. (1993) N-acetylcysteine enhances T cell functions and T cell growth in culture. Int Immunol 5:97-101
Eylar, E H; Montealegre, F; Molina, C et al. (1992) Aged human T cells. Suppressed mitogenic response to activation via CD2 and CD3 receptors. Ann N Y Acad Sci 663:487-9
Mercado, C; Molina, F; Navas, J et al. (1991) Inhibition of T cell mitogenesis by nitrofurans. Biochem Pharmacol 41:503-8

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