Immunotoxicology Core

免疫毒理学中心将作为一个集中机构，协助中心的研究者， 对三个项目进行高质量的研究。此外，它还将作为毒性测试核心， 通过筛选本申请中使用的各种植物衍生化合物的全身毒性， 以及免疫毒性。这是必要的，因为虽然CAM被认为是无毒的， 在柜台上出售的提取物或纯化成分可能产生毒性作用。此外，虽然 由于这些项目主要涉及仅限于T细胞的研究，因此了解这种植物来源的T细胞是如何产生的至关重要。 这些成分会影响整个免疫系统。这一点尤其重要，因为自身免疫性和 炎性疾病通常是全身性的，并且涉及多种类型的免疫细胞。此外，委员会认为， 关于植物衍生物的免疫毒性作用的信息在开发bench-to-bedside research. 免疫毒理学核心的具体目标是 1)检查所研究的植物产品的免疫毒性作用 2)提供共享资源和技术援助，以进行有关 个别项目 3)向中心的调查人员提供使用主要设备的培训 4)及时协助数据收集和分析 5)使项目之间能够共享数据，从而加强合作 6)参与研究项目相关实验的开发和实施。 这个核心有两个主要组成部分。他们是 1)免疫毒性试验，包括a）标准毒性试验B）第1层免疫毒性试验c） 2级免疫毒性试验。免疫毒性试验将涉及急性、短期和慢性研究 白藜芦醇、葡萄籽/皮提取物（项目1）、西洋参及其活性成分（项目2） 2，以及大麻酚（CBD）和CBD富集级分用于项目3。 2)仪器资源设施，将a）提供共享资源，以提高研究质量 B）使数据采集、分析和研究者之间的共享成为可能， 项目这将包括由一名生物统计员提供统计支助， 使用核心设施。 总之，免疫毒理学核心将提供有效和经济的共享资源， 进行尖端研究，导致中心所有项目的整合。

The Immunotoxicology Core will serve as a centralized facility to assist the investigators at the Center to pursue high quality research on the three projects. In addition, it will also serve as a toxicity testing core for all projects by screening the various plant-derived compounds used in this application for systemic toxicity as well as immunotoxicity. This is necessary because although CAM is considered to be non-toxic, the herbal extracts or purified ingredients that are sold over the counter may exert toxic effects. In addition, while the projects deal with studies restricted primarily to T cells, it is critical to know how such plant-derived components affect the overall immune system. This is especially important because autoimmune and inflammatory diseases are often systemic and involve multiple types of immune cells. Furthermore, information on the immunotoxic effects of the plant derivates is critical in the development of bench-tobedside research. The specific aims of the Immunotoxicology Core are 1) To examine the immunotoxic effects of the plant products under investigation 2) To provide the shared resources and technological assistance to pursue cutting-edge research on the individual projects 3) To provide training to investigators at the Center in the use of major equipment 4) To aid data collection and analysis in a timely manner 5) To enable data sharing between the projects, thereby enhancing collaborations 6) To participate in the development and conduct of experiments related to the research projects. There are two main components of this core. They are 1) Immunotoxicity testing which will include a) Standard Toxicity Testing b) Tier 1 Immunotoxicity Testing c) Tier 2 Immunotoxicity Testing. The Immunotoxicity testing will involve acute, short-term and chronic studies of resveratrol, grape seed/skin extracts for Project 1, American ginseng and its active ingredient for Project 2, and cannabidol (CBD) and CBD-rich fractions for Project 3. 2) Instrumentation Resources Facility which will a) Provide shared resources to enhance quality of research conducted at the Center, b) Enable data acquisition, analysis and sharing between investigators on the 3 projects. This would include statistical support provided by a biostatistician, c) Training of personnel in the use of core facilities. In summary, the Immunotoxicology Core will provide effective and economical shared resources to conduct cutting-edge research that leads to integration of all the projects at the Center.