Lupus Research Institute Awards $1-Million Grants to Discover What Causes Lupus

NEW YORK, Oct. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lupus Research Institute (LRI) announced recipients of its 2014 Distinguished Innovator Awards with three cutting-edge projects that tackle the underlying causes of the disease. The world's largest private grants in novel lupus research, the LRI Distinguished Innovator Awards support major studies for up to $1 million that can advance the search for prevention, treatment and a cure.

The 2014 award recipients are Zhijian "James" Chen, Ph.D., Professor, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX; Douglas Green, Ph.D., Immunology Chair, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN; and Randolph J. Noelle, Ph.D., Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Trustees of Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH.  Each has made recent major breakthroughs in basic immunology that have implications for understanding and treating a broad range of diseases. But thanks to their LRI grants, they will focus first on applying those novel discoveries to lupus.

Three Promising Directions

Dr. Chen has discovered an essential new process that alerts the immune system to viruses by sensing the presence of 'foreign DNA within cells'. He will explore his hypothesis that this pathway malfunctions in lupus, causing the immune system to attack its own DNA.

Dr. Green's team will investigate whether a new pathway he has discovered that safely disposes of dead cells goes awry in lupus, causing the immune system to attack the body's cells and tissues.

The project led by Dr. Noelle is exploring whether a novel 'checkpoint' molecule that limits the activity of the immune system could be used to bring the overactive lupus immune system back under control.

World-leading immunologist William Paul, M.D., LRI Scientific Advisory Board Chairman and National Academy of Sciences member described the three projects as wholly original with very real potential to propel developments that could improve treatment and prevent disease progression.  "While our three new Distinguished Innovators are specialists in immunology, Drs. Chen, Green and Noelle are approaching the fundamental causes of lupus from highly creative and potentially transformative perspectives."

"As the name implies, the Distinguished Innovator Awards afford preeminent and visionary researchers the means to pursue highly creative, pioneering theories backed by sound science," said Margaret Dowd, President and CEO. "This award complements LRI's overarching strategy to lead scientific innovation from fundamental novel research through translational and clinical research and clinical trials."

About Lupus

Lupus is a chronic, complex and prevalent autoimmune disease that affects more than 1.5 million Americans. More than 90% of lupus sufferers are women, mostly young women between the ages of 15 to 44. Women of color are especially at risk. In lupus, the immune system, which is designed to protect against infection, creates antibodies that attack the body's own tissues and organs -- the kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, blood, skin, and joints.

About the Lupus Research Institute

The Lupus Research Institute (LRI), the leading private supporter of novel research in lupus, pioneers discovery and champions scientific creativity as it demonstrates the power of innovation to propel solutions to this complex autoimmune disease. Founded by families and shaped by leading scientists, the Institute has generated over $170 million in novel lupus research, delivering many of the decade's most pivotal breakthroughs, transforming treatment and advancing toward prevention and a cure. 

With its National Patient Coalition of regional lupus organizations, the Lupus Research Institute improves patient care through research awareness, education and advocacy as it drives to a Life Without Lupus. For more information, visit www.lupusresearchinstitute.org.

SOURCE Lupus Research Institute

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