3 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
It is well known that the deregulation of immune responses plays a major role in many autoimmune diseases, such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). The main objective of this protocol is to determine whether the expression and/or function of specific molecules are deregulated in the immune cells of patients with SLE. By examining IRF4, IRF5, IBP/Def6, SWAP-70, Rock1, Rock2, and specific signaling molecules involved in the responsiveness to sex hormones, the investigators hypothesize that the deregulation in the expression and function of these molecules will result in abnormalities in the functioning of the immune cells, which is a key factor in autoimmunity. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from healthy controls and patients with SLE will be collected and compared in order to determine if specific immune cells (IL-17 and IL-21) are deregulated in patients with SLE and if this deregulation affects their functioning. Specifically, immune cells will be isolated from the blood and then subject to scientific testing (QPCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence assays, ELISA and FACS analysis) to see if the expression and function of these cells is related to the mechanism behind SLE. This will be a case control study, where cases of SLE will be compared to controls of healthy volunteers to assess risk factors. As these healthy volunteers are providing samples solely for research purposes, there is no standard of care for these volunteers, with the exception of a positive HIV result during screening. The Department of Genetic Medicine will enroll healthy controls and the Hospital for Special Surgery will enroll subjects with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) for a comparative analysis of the two cohorts. Laboratory testing on all blood samples will be done at the Hospital for Special Surgery.
Background: The immune system is the body's defense against bacteria and other harmful invaders. In people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the immune system becomes overactive and attacks healthy cells by mistake. Many people use glucocorticoids (GCs) to treat their SLE. GCs can calm down an overactive immune system by changing how the body reads genes. But GCs have side effects that can increase over time. Researchers want to learn more about how GCs work. This may help to develop new and better drugs for treating SLE without the side effects GCs have. Objective: To better understand how GCs affect the immune system in people with SLE. Eligibility: People age 18-80 with SLE. Design: Participants will be screened with a physical exam. They will have a health and medical history. They will have blood and urine tests. They will have an electrocardiogram to measure heart activity. For this, sticky pads are put on their chest, arms, and legs. Participants will have a methylprednisolone infusion for about 30 minutes. It will be given through a needle in a vein. Blood will be collected immediately before, 2 hours after, and 4 hours after the start of the infusion. Blood pressure and heart activity will be monitored. Participants will repeat some of the screening tests. Participants will be contacted twice in the week after the infusion visit. They will discuss any health problems they are having.
This study aims to collect information on rheumatology patients' dietary habits, autoimmune disease activity, dietary changes, disease symptom improvements, and perceptions on their dietary habits and how it affects their autoimmune disease. The main objective is to see if rheumatology patients change their dietary habits after their diagnosis of an autoimmune disease and if it subjectively improved their disease symptoms. It will also look at rheumatology patients' expectations for their rheumatologist when it comes to dietary advice and what resources they used to choose their new dietary habits. The study also seeks to measure the interest that rheumatology patients have in pursuing dietary changes as a means of controlling the symptoms of their autoimmune disease. It is expected that patients who changed their eating habits to healthier diets such as a Mediterranean diet would report less severe autoimmune disease symptoms. There are limited dietary recommendations for the management of many rheumatological diseases, so this study seeks to assess rheumatology patients' willingness to try dietary modifications, what improvements they had, and why they decide to make these changes in light of limited information.