EFFICACY OF ABATACEPT IN PATIENTS WITH DIFFUSE SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Current therapeutic options for SSc have shown limited efficacy. Although the etiology of SSc remains unknown, several observations support the role of activated T cells in disease pathogenesis. Abatacept blocks T cell activation by binding to CD80 and CD86, thereby blocking interaction with CD28. This study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of abatacept treatment for SSc potentially revealing a new treatment option for patients with SSc. In addition, further insight into the etiology of the disease will be gained from examination of cells and genes present and activated in both the blood and skin of patients.