Devic’s disease by Adil Javed

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.

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