CID seminar: Extracellular DNA as a therapeutic target in MPO-AAV, 27 March

Tuesday 27 March, 12-1pm, Seminar Room 1, TRF

Presented by Dr Kim O'Sullivan, Research Fellow, Centre for Inflammatory Diseases

Myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody associated vasculitis (MPO-AAV) is a major cause of chronic kidney disease. Current treatment for ANCA-vasculitis consists of non-targeted immunosuppression which is toxic and contributes to morbidity and mortality rates. There is an unmet need for the development of therapeutics which will target pro inflammatory immune responses without causing adverse effects. This presentation will explore the role of extracellular DNA as a contributing factor to ANCA vasculitis and the use of DNase I as a therapeutic in models of experimental anti-myeloperoxidase ANCA glomerulonephritis.

Kim O’Sullivan has recently completed her PhD within the Autoimmune Kidney Disease and Vasculitis Research Group with Prof. Stephen Holdsworth and Prof. Richard Kitching at the Centre for Inflammatory Diseases. Kim’s research is focused on trying to find new novel targets and biological interventions in human and experimental ANCA associated vasculitis.