Although the research is still in its early stages, Dr. Rigby says there are several implications for the findings. First, because certain CD154 polymorphisms are associated with increased levels of gene expression, these polymorphisms constitute potential risk factors for any inflammatory disease. In addition, identifying a specific polymorphism that is associated with increased risk of inflammatory disease raises hope that specific drugs or molecules can be used to target that polymorphism and therefore control inflammation and autoimmune disease.
Dr. Rigby says he is grateful for the Within Our Reach grant because it revitalized his career in research. “I cannot begin to express my gratitude to the American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation and the Within Our Reach program for fostering this type of research,” he says. “It has been a career saver for me and has induced me to focus much more on rheumatic diseases in my scientific studies.”