A prospective investigation of gene expression profiling in primary systemic vasculitis (360G-Wellcome-080327_Z_06_Z)

The primary systemic vasculitides are a group of complex, heterogeneous and poorly understood autoimmune disorders. A lack of clear guidelines on whom to treat with what, when and for how long results in a high associated morbidity and mortality. We aim to sample PSV patients at presentation with active disease and during several different treatment protocols as part of ongoing clinical trials and make detailed comparisons with gene expression seen in healthy controls and in another important, related autoimmune disease, SLE. Previous studies have analysed RNA derived from whole PBMC. We aim to analyse RNA collected from separated cell subsets using oligonucleotide microarrays and to correlate expression signatures with extensive clinical data. We then aim to validate such expression profiles as markers of diagnosis, prognosis, response to treatment and treatment-related toxicity by expanding our initial cohort and with the design of further clinical trials. Preliminary data included here confirms the validity of this approach and hints at interesting correlations to be pursued.