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. OBJECTIVE: We are seeking to establish a storage bank for unlinked blood, and cells that will enable us to study the function and genetic expression of immune receptors and their ligands in white blood cells. This is not a human therapeutic protocol and does not involve re-infusion of any manipulated cells, viruses, or DNA constructs into human subjects. RESEARCH PLAN: In order to conduct these studies, we plan to use blood specimens from healthy volunteers and patients with conditions resulting in activated leukocytes, such as individuals recently transplanted or who have hematopoietic disorders. Blood will be collected form healthy volunteers, autologous or allogeneic hematopoetic stem cell transplant recipients, and individuals with hematologic disorders or conditions resulting in activated leukocytes, such as individuals recently transplanted or who have hematopoietic disorders. METHODS: Specimens will be anonymized (irreversibly unlinked to personal identifiers) except for race/ethnicity information and clinical diagnosis, both of which are essential for the interpretation of genetic data. Blood will be drawn from a vein in the arm by a trained phlebotomist. The amount of blood drawn will be approximately 5 ml for DNA isolation and 45 ml for isolation of leukocytes for surface expression of chemokine receptors. CLINICAL
The expression of immunoregulatory receptors may play an important role in the severity of inflammation and thus in the varied responses of the human host to a pathogen, allergen, or transplantation process and variable expression of these receptors is influenced by polymorphisms in the gene for these receptors.
Our specific aims are to study: a) the function and expression of immunoregulatory molecules present on leukocytes and b) to correlate the level of expression of these molecules with the polymorphisms identified in the genes or their promoters which regulate expression of these receptors.
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