Westley Reeves, MD

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

2008 General Immune System Function

With LRI funding, Dr. Reeves will test the effectiveness of using a population of adult stem cells called “mesenchymal stem cells” to treat lupus. These cells, which scientists have studied in great detail and know how to grow in the laboratory, can generate many different varieties of other cells: muscle, fat, bone, tendon, skin, and more.

But while researchers understand how to manipulate mesenchymal cells, they have not been used them to down-regulate autoimmunity. This highly novel concept represents a whole new approach to suppressing the overactive immune system that can cause such destruction in lupus and other autoimmune illnesses.

Dr. Reeves plans to test his hypothesis by manipulating the mesenchymal cells to stimulate the production of regulatory T cells, which may in turn shut off autoantibody production and inflammation.

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