Pre-eclampsia and risk for CVD in SLE patients

描述（由申请人提供）：系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）患者和妊娠期间患有先兆子痫的非狼疮女性的心血管疾病（CVD）风险增加。炎症过程和内皮功能障碍是SLE发病机制的基础，也与CVD和先兆子痫有关。我们将评估先兆子痫是否会导致SLE患者CVD风险进一步增加。将在SLE女性中检查自身免疫标志物（通过抗磷脂、抗oxLDL和抗MDA-LDL抗体定义）和内皮功能障碍标志物（ICAM和E-选择素）在先兆子痫和亚临床CVD（通过血管钙化、颈动脉斑块和内膜中层厚度测量）中的作用。这项工作提供了一个独特的机会，以检查内皮和自身免疫标记物作为潜在的生物学联系的发病机制，先兆子痫和心血管疾病的SLE患者。该奖项的研究目标是：1）追求正式的课程工作，最终在临床研究硕士学位，2）提交与本申请中描述的具体目标相关的手稿。本申请中概述的项目将为实现我成为独立临床研究者的最终目标奠定坚实的基础。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increased in both systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and non-lupus women who had pre-eclampsia during pregnancy. Inflammatory process and endothelial dysfunction which underlie pathogenesis in SLE have also been implicated in CVD and pre-eclampsia. We will evaluate if pre-eclampsia leads to further increased CVD risk in SLE patients. The role of autoimmune markers (defined by anti-phospholipid, anti-oxLDL and anti-MDA-LDL antibodies) and markers of endothelial dysfunction (ICAM and E-selectin) in pre-eclampsia and subclinical CVD (measured by vascular calcification, carotid plaque and intima-media thickness) will be examined in SLE women. This work presents an unique opportunity to examine endothelial and autoimmune markers as potential biologic links underlying the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia and CVD in SLE patients. The research goals of this award are to: 1) pursue formal course work culminating in a MS degree in Clinical Investigation, 2) submit manuscripts related to the specific aims delineated in this application. The project outlined in this application will provide a strong foundation for achieving my ultimate goal of becoming an independent clinical investigator.