Autocure

Autocure is a research consortium which is funded by the EU with 11 million Euros. Including the Center of Experimental Rheumatology, 26 different partners from all over Europe are involved in this project. Our contribution to the work of AUTOCURE firstly lies in the identification of novel therapeutic target genes in rheumatoid arthritis. In this respect, PBEF was recently identified as potential driver of inflammation and joint destruction. The benefit of inhibiting PBEF in arthritis is currently tested in mouse models. Secondly, in collaboration with other members of the AUTOCURE consortium, we search for novel auto-antigens present in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The occurrence of auto-antibodies against these antigens is analyzed in large patient cohorts with the aim to elucidate pathogenetic mechanisms and to refine the diagnosis of subtypes of RA. Thirdly, the influence of environmental factors, in particular smoking on the development of RA is analyzed. Thereby changes in gene expression in synovial fibroblasts after exposure to cigarette smoke are compared to changes in cells from bronchial alveolar lavages from smokers and non-smokers.

Publications

Brentano F, Schorr O, Ospelt C, Stanczyk J, Gay RE, Gay S, Kyburz D. Pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor/visfatin, a new marker of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis with proinflammatory and matrix-degrading activities. Arthritis Rheum 2007, 56:2829-39.

Maciejewska H, Al-Shamisi M, Gay RE, Michel BA, Knuth A, Neidhart M, Gay S, Jüngel A. Auto-antibodies against Serpin E2 might contribute to joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 2007, 56 (Supplement): S193.

Ospelt C, Brentano F, Rengel Y, Stanczyk J, Kolling C, Tak PP, Gay RE, Gay S, Kyburz D. Toll-like receptor expression in early arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. Publication in progress.

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