|
|
|
Name of Submitter:
|
John Groopman
|
|
Title of proposed idea:
|
Inflammation and Chronic Disease
|
|
What is the major obstacle/challenge in the biomedical research field? What is needed to overcome this obstacle/challenge?
|
|
The inflammatory process occurs through a wide number of molecular and cellular processes ranging from the triggering of reactive nitrogen/oxygen species, immune response to infection and secondary damage due to obesity. Most chronic diseases from cancer, CVD, diabetes and COPD; major causes of morbidity and mortality, are embellished by inflammation. The underlying causes, molecular signaling pathways and opportunities for prevention and therapeutic interventions are critically needed. Since these research problems cut across both the disease specific ICs, e.g. NCI, NHLBI, NIDDK, NIAID etc and ICs focused on exposures and their consequences, e.g. NIEHS, this field is fertile for transformative investigation. |
|
What emerging scientific opportunity is ripe for investment by the Common Fund?
|
|
Many of the basic common fund initiatives such as the genomics, epigenetics, metabolomic and microbiome initiatives impact and inform an inflammation initiative. Novel "humanized" mouse and other animal models are needed and can be developed. The availability of a number of major longitudinal epidemiology studies and intervention trials have created a rich source of biospecimens with outcome data for biomarker discovery and initial validation. Finally, with the major epidemiologic transition from acute to chronic disease occurring in the US and around the world, high quality science is needed to blunt the predictable rise in a number of human diseases. |
|
What are the potential Common Fund investments that could accelerate scientific progress in this field?
|
|
New animal models for basic discovery and understanding of how various exposures cause inflammation are needed. Most inflammatory responses are the result of mixtures of biological and chemical agents and these manifest responses across many different organ sites. Similarly processes such as metastasis, angiogenesis and neurological decline have a need for new animal models, such as those that are being developed for microbiome studies. Genomic expression, proteomic and metabolomic studies are needed to identify common pathways and responses to the diverse array of inflammation across different tissues and disease endpoints. Finally, systematic prevention studies need to be initiated to create drug, diet or other targeted intervention strategies for inflammation. |
|
If a Common Fund program on this topic achieved its objectives, what would be the impact?
|
|
The overwhelming majority of chronic human disease proceed or promote inflammation. A detailed mechanistically grounded set of initiatives to understand these processes will enhance our understanding of an individual's trajectory to clinical disease as well as provide prevention opportunities for interventions that can lower risk in individuals from being diagnosed with a disease in the first place. |
|