This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an uncommon, potentially life-threatening, autoimmune disease of inflammation of the blood vessels all over the body. The cause of SLE is unknown. The disease can affect a few organ systems or many. In children, the most common organs affected are the skin, the joints, the kidney, the heart and the brain. In general, childhood SLE is more severe than it is in adults because more organs are affected and affected more severely. Childhood SLE often requires aggressive and long-term treatment with steroids and chemotherapy. Atherosclerosis is a disease common in older adults and is caused by a narrowing of the blood vessels caused by fatty deposits to the lining of the vessels. Atherosclerosis increases the risk of cardiac infarction and stroke. Lipid-lowering drugs have been developed to lower the fat content in blood, prevent further fat from sticking to the lining of blood vessels and also to dissolve fatty deposit on blood vessels. These drugs have been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
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