Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology that often results in severe damage to joint, kidney, heart, lung and brain tissue in humans.  Initial symptoms and early progression of the disease are variable, and in up to 50% of cases, central nervous system effects are present.  People with lupus often report fatigue, changes in emotionality including depression, and cognitive impairment.  Up to 20% of people with lupus experience what is known as neuropsychiatric lupus, a form of the disease which includes symptoms such as stroke, seizures and psychosis. 

            The complex molecular interactions involved in lupus, as well as associated changes in gene expression and protein synthesis are poorly understood.  Current treatment regimens such as prednisone and other anti-inflammatory drugs are non-specific and over time often lead to adverse effects.  Increasing our understanding of the gene regulation involved in the development of lupus, at various stages of disease progression, and in its various forms, as well as the pathways and biological processes into which these genes are organized, may provide the information necessary for developing more narrowly-targeted therapeutic strategies in the future.   

            This project is collaborative, interdisciplinary research with Dr. Susan Larson in the Psychology Department.  Students working on this project will evaluate behavior, emotionality and cognitive function, as well as measure gene expression differences, in lupus-prone and control mice.  Techniques include behavioral analyses, maintenance of mouse colonies, harvesting and dissection of mouse tissues, isolation of DNA, RNA and protein from tissues, cDNA synthesis, microarray data analysis, real-time PCR and ELISA.