Identification of new therapeutic targets by genetic dissection and reconstitution of autoimmune diseases in mice.

Research Project Outline

Most of the autoimmune diseases are regulated by multiple genes. However, little is known of the hierarchical genetic regulation of autoimmunity. Recently, we found that the introduction of PD-1 deficiency resulted in the reduction of the number of genetic factors involved in the development of type I diabetes in NOD mice, a mouse model of type I diabetes. In this project, we try to idntify all genetic factors required for the development of type I diabetes to unravel the whole regulatory mechanism of type I diabetes. We will also analyze other autoimmune diseases including myocarditis and vasculitis. Based on these genetic studies, we will identify new therapeutic targets of autoimmune diseaeses.