Dr. Mike Brown of the Carter Immunology Center received $252,434 for his project “Risky variants in human cardiovascular disease” to study the role of Glucocorticoid-induced TNFR-related protein (GITR), an immune modulator of inflammation and Ox40, a T-cell receptor, and their roles in the severity of cardiovascular disease.  He will work closely with Dr. Coleen McNamara in this new research area.  This is another example of iPRIME’s role in pairing world class experts to new and exciting research areas in precision immunomedicine.  Dr. Brown and his team will use this award to dissect the mechanisms of these two important molecules in the development or progression of atherosclerosis which is a major cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and significant contributor to disability, and death in Virginia.  The molecules are promising targets for new therapies in patients with CVD.  Dr. Brown and his lab will report these findings at an upcoming iPRIME seminar.  Stay tuned to this website for updates on this exciting new project!