Juvenile Myositis

National Center For Advancing Translational Sciences

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Juvenile myositis (JM) is an autoimmune disease targeting muscles, skin and other tissues caused by yet to be determined genetic and environmental factors. With financial support from the Cure JM Foundation in collaboration with Cure JM Foundation scientific advisors we have completed the design and development of assays based on genetic anomalies that may be contributing to JM pathogenesis. These assays have been used in the interrogation of chemical libraries for the identification of molecules that modify these aberrant pathways. We have completed the testing of an approved drug library revealing known and novel leads for JM therapy development. Additionally, a library of toxins and environmental agents that may be involved disease initiation or exacerbation has been evaluated, and analysis of this data is ongoing.