Seema S. Aceves, M.D., Ph.D.

• Conduct prospective studies on validating symptom, histologic and endoscopic features of pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis.

• Conduct proteomic studies using protein arrays on prospectively collected esophageal biopsy and peripheral blood samples from pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis patients.

• Participate in a multicenter study on the use of mepolizumab (anti-IL-5) in pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis.

• Conduct prospective placebo-controlled studies of budesonide for pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis.

• Expand the current eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders clinic.

• Institute a West Coast Food Allergy Center.

John F. Bastian, M.D.

• Establish a food allergy clinic.

• Conduct eosinophilic esophagitis trials with anti-IL5 and topical budesonide.

• Obtain exhaled NO device for allergy clinic.

Jane C. Burns, M.D., Hiroko Shike, M.D., and Chisato Shimizu, M.D.

• Case-control analysis of KD patients who did or did not respond to intravenous gamma globulin and who did or did not develop coronary artery aneurysms.

• Analysis of a case-control study of approximately 300 Japanese KD cases and controls for copy number variation.

• Initiate multicenter, placebo-controlled, randomized Phase III trial of infliximab plus IVIG vs. placebo plus IVIG for primary treatment of acute Kawasaki disease.

• Complete a number of clinical and translational studies, including: testing of a panel of protein biomarkers as a diagnostic test for KD (collaboration with Biosite); use of 64-slice CT scan for imaging the coronary arteries in children with coronary artery aneurysms; analysis of urine cytology in KD patients; and an epidemiologic analysis of referral patterns for KD patients in San Diego County.

• Initiate a lipid clinic for KD children with abnormal serum lipid screens.

Alessandra I. Franco, M.D., Ph.D.

• Better characterize the events involved in the cross-talk between B cells and dendritic cells, aiming at the optimization of cytotoxic T cell priming in vivo.

• Define a panel of carbohydrate-peptide conjugate that binds with high affinity to MHC class I molecules and has an appropriate structure to induce a T cell response skewed toward the recognition of the sugar moiety.

• Explore (and compare) TACA conjugation natural viral sequences, sequences derived from environmental pathogens as the flu viruses and known cancer epitopes (i.e., MUC1 peptides, etc.) in preparation for pre-clinical trials.

Hal M. Hoffman, M.D.

• Continue focus on cryopyrin function using a number of novel mouse models designed to reproduce human disease in mice.

• Continue to study the mechanism of cold-induced inflammation using cell lines, human monocytes and mice.

• Study the role of cryopyrin in more common diseases such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis, infection, otitis, and asthma by collaborating with other UCSD investigators. This may involve a clinical trial to study IL-1 targeted therapy in gout.

• Complete the IL-1 TRAP study in FCAS and begin studying samples collected during this study.

• Continue to identify families with rare inherited human diseases and search for the genetic basis of these disorders.

• Continue to evaluate pediatric patients with allergic and immunologic disease (approximately 400 patients a year).

• Pursue clinical interest in autoinflammatory diseases, including the periodic fever disorders, and expand clinic to meet the needs of these patients.

Anthony A. Horner, M.D.

• Continue clinical and teaching responsibilities.

• Continue research focusing on characterizing the cellular and molecular basis for the Th2 adjuvant and tolerogenic activities of house dust extracts (HDEs).

• Continue a translational research study to determine whether the biological activities of HDEs obtained from infant bedrooms are predictive of their development of allergic hypersensitivities.

• Continue collaborative studies wth Mitch Kronenberg to determine the NKT cell ligand content of HDEs.

• Renew current RO1 and seek new sources of funding.

Robert M. Sheets, M.D.

• Consolidate practice in San Diego.

• Continue involvement in the local Arthritis Foundation branch and its activities for children.

Ilona S. Szer, M.D.

• Continue to grow the clinical activities.

• Establish a Rheumatology Center in Escondido.

• Continue to pursue funding for team members.