Research Study in Pemphigus Vulgaris Dr. Animesh A. Sinha, M.D., Ph.D.
Dept. of Dermatology
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
New York, NY Our research team at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University is undertaking a non-profit research project involving the pathogenesis of Pemphigus Vulgaris (PV). The central objective of our project is to determine the immune triggers of pemphigus vulgaris. Currently, available technologies are limited in their power to characterize autoreactive T cells, which are necessary for the generation of autoantibodies in PV and the development of disease. Our research team of the Department of Dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University is developing two newly emerging technologies to identify, enumerate, and analyze autoreactive T cells. We are undertaking fine specificity characterization of autoreactive T cell populations and precise mapping of T cell epitopes responsible for disease induction and progression. These studies are expected to illuminate novel and specific targets for immunoprevention and therapy. The long-term goals of our work are: 1) To gain a better understanding of the early steps of disease induction and disease perpetuation. 2) To develop rapid screening methods for the precise identification of disease specific peptides in individual patients. 3) To identify, quantitate and characterize autoreactive T cells in individual patients. 4) To use the above information to establish more definitive and rapid methods for a) diagnosis and b) screening of individuals at risk. 5) To use the above information to explore novel antigen-specific and individualized preventative and therapeutic approaches in the treatment of pemphigus. | |
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