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| Xiaodong
Zhou, M.D. |
Texas Doctors to Study Genetic and Environmental Factors
in Scleroderma
By Meredith Raine
This month, a research team at The University of Texas
Medical School at Houston will begin collecting and
analyzing skin biopsies to explore an association between
scleroderma and silica exposure.
Xiaodong Zhou, M.D., associate professor in the department
of Internal Medicine’s division of Rheumatology
and Clinical Immunogenetics, is leading the first integrative
study that examines both genetic and environmental factors
in the development of scleroderma.
The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command
of the Office of the Congressionally Directly Medical
Research Programs awarded Zhou a four-year, $928,125
grant to conduct the research.
Why would the military be interested in this topic?
“In several epidemiological studies, silica has
been strongly implicated as a trigger for the development
of scleroderma,” Zhou said. “Military personnel
and more than a million other workers in the United
States are at risk for being exposed to this common
environmental particle, so it’s important to determine
the association between silica and scleroderma.”
Scleroderma is a chronic, often progressive, autoimmune
disease in which the body’s immune system attacks
its own parts. It can cause thickening and tightening
of the skin and, in some cases, causes serious damage
to internal organs. It affects about 300,000 people
nationwide, mostly women ages 25–55.
Zhou said silica or other environmental exposures
might turn on specific genes that lead to the development
of scleroderma. He will study the pathways by which
silica exposure could cause scleroderma.
Zhou also will examine sensitivity and susceptibility
to environmental exposures in individuals with specific
genetic backgrounds.
“Identifying the pathways by which this disease
begins and progresses could help us develop treatments,”
Zhou said.
“Determining a person’s sensitivity and
susceptibility would allow us to identify the people
who need to be most cautious in protecting themselves
from silica.”
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health estimates that at least 1.7 million U.S. workers
are exposed to crystalline silica, which is small enough
to be inhaled, in a variety of industries and occupations,
including construction, sandblasting and mining.
“Scleroderma is a complex, sometimes devastating,
disease,” Zhou said. “Right now there is
no cure. We hope that with this research we can move
a step closer to preventing and providing new therapies
for scleroderma.”
Volunteers needed
To perform the research, Zhou is collecting skin biopsies
from scleroderma patients, as well as healthy men and
women. Research nurses use a small needle, Zhou said,
to collect a skin sample from the back of the arm.
Volunteers, who will be compensated for their participation
in the research, may schedule an appointment at the
Clinical Research Unit at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical
Center. For information, call 713-500-6900.
Editor’s note: This article
was published in the Leader, a monthly publication for
faculty, staff and students of the University of Texas
Health Science Center at Houston. It was reprinted with
permission.
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