Immunological and Molecular Mechanisms Involved in the Pathogenesis of Devic’s Disease
2008 Seed Grant
Adil Javed, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Chicago
This study will address several questions: 1A) are the inflammatory cytokines and immune cells
similar in patients with Devic’s disease vs. peripheral Sjogren’s disease; 1B) what is the identity
of cytokines and immune cells that vary with clinical attacks of disease worsening in Devic’s
disease; 2A) do patients with Devic’s disease have aquaporin 1, aquaporin 5, and muscurinic
receptor antibodies as seen in patients with peripheral Sjogren’s disease; 2B) what is the
isotype of antibodies seen in Devic’s disease that react with aquaporin 1, -5, and muscurinic
receptors; 3) are T cells isolated from CSF of Devic’s patients capable of reacting with
aquaporin antigens, such as aquaporin 1, 4 and 5, thus identifying possible antigens that may
be stimulating an abnormal immune response in Devic’s disease.
