Grant: Team Grant: Health Challenges in Chronic Inflammation Initiative (LOI)

A common virus called cytomegalovirus is acquired in childhood and infects almost 50 percent of adults by the time they reach middle age. Most individuals remain free of symptoms throughout their life because their immune systems maintain control of the infection. It was recently recognised that chronic infection with this virus and the body's persistent attempt to control it appears to lead to aging of the immune system, and a higher risk of developing bacterial infections like pneumonia in the elderly. The aging immune cells that fight the infection are dysfunctional, do not die off and remain in human blood stream in ever increasing numbers. We believe that these cells enter the inner wall of human arteries and can cause hardening of the arteries leading to heart attacks and stroke. To test our hypothesis that the above immune changes cause heart disease, we have assembled a team of investigators who are laboratory scientists, clinicians and experts in the health services fields. These world leaders will bring complementary clinical and scientific skills as well as new knowledge to work together in groups. Using very sophisticated laboratory technology and the latest in heart imaging, they plan to study the mechanisms by which individuals with Multiple Sclerosis, HIV disease, other immune deficiencies as well as those with Systemic Lupus develop heart disease at a higher and faster rate. During the studies they will link to lay groups with specific disease interests in order to ensure that during the conduct of the research, the questions of interest by the end-user community are asked. Ultimately the knowledge we gain will have utility for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart attacks and strokes in the general public.