A functional genomic approach to the genetics of autoimmune (type A) gastritis [ 2002 - 2004 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Alan Baxter (Principal investigator) ,  Dr Thomas Brodnicki ,  Prof Ian Van Driel

Brief description The thymus produces white blood cells which defend the body from infections and cancer. Unfortunately, these white blood cells can also cause disease if they target the body's own tissues. These disesaes are called autoimmune diseases, and an example of such a disease is autoimmune (type A) gastritis, in which the white cells target the acid-producing cells of the stomach. The resulting damage can lead to the development of pernicious anaemia (vitamin B12 deficiency) and cancer of the stomach. This project studies a mouse model of autoimmune gastritis with the aim of identifying the genes that encode susceptibility to the disease in this model. Ultimately, this information should help us to devise therapies that can be applied to the clinical situation. We have previously identified the locations of the genes which are responsible for causing gastritis in these mice. Two of them are very close together on one chromosome and appear to be very important because they have the strongest effects. Furthermore, there is some evidence that these genes may also be involved in determining susceptibility to diabetes and lupus. This project aims to further characterise these genes by locating them more exactly and by examining their effect on mice not normally prone to gastritis.

Funding Amount $AUD 467,640.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant