2008 Chemotactic Cytokines Gordon Research Conference

描述（由申请人提供）： 趋化因子是约50种蛋白质的家族，其与其他细胞因子的不同之处在于它们具有以保守的半胱氨酸残基形式的独特的生物化学标志，并作用于G蛋白偶联的七跨膜（7 TM）跨越受体。它们的主要作用是指导白细胞在体内的运输，因此它们对免疫系统的发育和建立至关重要。然而，它们的过度活性导致炎症的建立，并且通过使用诸如遗传修饰小鼠、中和抗体和受体拮抗剂的工具在动物模型中的研究，趋化因子已显示在诸如哮喘、动脉粥样硬化、多发性硬化、炎性肠病和关节炎以及许多其他疾病中发挥作用。它们也被证明在癌症和艾滋病等传染病中发挥作用，在这些疾病中，它们似乎发挥着炎症以外的复杂作用。由于7 TM受体是制药业的基石之一，它们为治疗干预提供了非常有吸引力的靶点，以趋化因子为重点的项目现在正在进入临床。重要的是，2007年FDA首次批准了用于预防HIV感染的趋化因子受体拮抗剂。它们也是生物治疗的合适靶点，并且单克隆抗体目前正在人体中进行测试。因此，趋化因子领域吸引了来自学术界和工业界的科学家，戈登趋化细胞因子研究会议为直接交流思想和挑战性讨论提供了理想的论坛。会议定于2008年9月21日至26日在法国奥苏瓦举行。会议将限于160名与会者，挑选发言者是为了提供一个进行创新讨论的论坛。此外，会议将使学生和博士后研究员有机会展示他们的工作，并与该领域的领先科学家进行非正式讨论。这将部分通过专门的海报会议和日常社会计划来实现。由于会议在欧洲举行，我们预计会有很多欧洲人出席，但我们希望吸引美国的大量参与。因此，我们请求提供支助，以支付欧洲会场的差旅费和/或会议费。本申请的健康相关性在于，趋化因子已被证明在诸如哮喘、动脉粥样硬化、多发性硬化、炎性肠病和关节炎以及许多其他疾病中发挥作用。它们也被证明在癌症和艾滋病等传染病中发挥作用，在这些疾病中，它们似乎发挥着炎症以外的复杂作用。由于7 TM受体是制药业的基石之一，它们为治疗干预提供了非常有吸引力的靶点，以趋化因子为重点的项目现在正在进入临床。重要的是，2007年FDA首次批准了用于预防HIV感染的趋化因子受体拮抗剂。它们也是生物治疗的合适靶点，并且单克隆抗体目前正在人体中进行测试。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Chemokines are a family of approximately 50 proteins that differ from other cytokines in that they possess a distinctive biochemical hallmark in the form of conserved cysteine residues and act on G protein-coupled seven transmembrane (7TM) spanning receptors. Their principal role is that of directing leukocyte trafficking in the body, and they are thus pivotal to development and the establishment of the immune system. However their excessive activity results in the establishment of inflammation and through studies in animal models using tools such as genetically modified mice, neutralizing antibodies and receptor antagonists, chemokines have been shown to play a role in diseases such as asthma, atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disorder and arthritis, as well as many others. They have also been shown to play a role in diseases such as cancer and infectious diseases such as AIDS, where they appear to play complex roles beyond inflammation. Since 7TM receptors are one of the cornerstones of the pharmaceutical industry, they provide a very attractive target for therapeutic intervention, and chemokine-focused programs are now moving into the clinic. Importantly 2007 witnessed the first approval by the FDA for a chemokine receptor antagonist for the prevention of HIV infection. They are also suitable targets for biological therapeutics, and again monoclonal antibodies are currently under testing in man. Thus the chemokine field attracts scientists from both academia and industry, and the Gordon Research Conference on Chemotactic Cytokines provides an ideal forum for direct exchange of ideas, and challenging discussion. The conference is scheduled to be held in Aussois, France, from 21-26 September 2008. It will be limited to 160 participants, and speakers are selected to provide a forum for innovative discussion. In addition the conference will allow students and postdoctoral fellows the opportunity to expose their work and to have informal discussions with leading scientists in this area. This will be achieved, in part, through the dedicated poster sessions and the daily social program. Since the conference is held in Europe, we expect a large European attendance, but we hope to attract a substantial participation from the US. We therefore request support to cover the costs for travel and/or conference fees at the European venue. The Health relatedness of this application is that chemokines have been shown to play a role in diseases such as asthma, atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disorder and arthritis, as well as many others. They have also been shown to play a role in diseases such as cancer and infectious diseases such as AIDS, where they appear to play complex roles beyond inflammation. Since 7TM receptors are one of the cornerstones of the pharmaceutical industry, they provide a very attractive target for therapeutic intervention, and chemokine-focused programs are now moving into the clinic. Importantly 2007 witnessed the first approval by the FDA for a chemokine receptor antagonist for the prevention of HIV infection. They are also suitable targets for biological therapeutics, and again monoclonal antibodies are currently under testing in man.