“Serological study on DNAse 1 activity in SLE patients. DNAse 1 gene mutations study.”
Coordinator: Miquel Vilardell Tarrés . 
A decrease on DNAse 1 activity could induce the persistence of DNA as well as the induction of anti-DNA antibodies. In this study, we have assessed the sera activity levels of DNAse 1 and the degree of association between a particular polymorphism on this gene and the functionality of the enzyme in SLE patients. A correlation has also been established with both the clinical and serological data
“DNA methylation study in SLE patients. ”
Coordinator: Josep Ordi Ros.
SLE DNA hypomethylation may lead to the increased expression of some usually silenced genes and it could trigger an autorreactivity phenomenon. This "unprotected" DNA would be responsible for inducing anti-DNA antibodies. In order to find out the underlying mechanism by which hypomethylation occurs in SLE, we have determined the expression levels of different methylases and demethylases.
“IFN-gamma/STAT and TGF-ß/Smad pathways in patients with lupus nephritis:clinical correlation and prognosis utility”
Coordinator: Josep Ordi Ros.
Lupus nephritis (LN) is still one of the main causes of morbi-mortality in SLE patients and it may lead to a renal fibrosis in some cases. IFN-g/STAT1 and TGF-b/Smad signal pathways on renal biopsies of patients with LN have been studied, and the role they may have on the development of fibrosis has also been analyzed. A correlation study with clinical and lab variables has also been carried out.
“SLE disease's activity and development of earlier atherosclerosis. Inflammatory bio-markers as cardiovascular risk parameters at activity and remission stages.”
Coordinator: Josep Ordi Ros.
Atherosclerosis in SLE patients develops earlier and it is more prevalent than in the general population. Given the fact that atherosclerosis is an inflammatory process, the higher the inflammatory degree (and therefore, the higher the disease's activity), the higher the cardiovascular risk. We are analyzing if the disease's activity may correlate with predictive parameters of cardiovascular risk.
“Chronic inflammation, immunosenescence, and aging. ”
Coordinator: Jaume Alijotas Reig .
Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory process. The endothelial lesion/activation amplifies such a phenomenon and facilitates cross-reactions with other proteins. Immunosenescence supports the loss of immunological tolerance. We study cross-reactions between OxLDL, aPL, and HSP, as well as the polymorphisms and the amounts of the main pro and anti-inflammatory citokines.
“Aging and telomeric stability”
Coordinator: Jaume Alijotas Reig and Dr. Simón Schwartz 
We study the relationship between the epigenetic alterations (histones code and DNA methylation) on the telomeric regions and on the promoter gene regions of telomeric and regulatory proteins which act on the telomeric structures, as well as their expression modifications when taking into account either age or the presence of illnesses linked to aging.
“Immunological and lesional mechanisms in late adverse reactions of bioimplants“
Coordinator: Jaume Alijotas Reig
The late clinical manifestations that occur when bioimplants are placed seem to have an immune component. We study the histological characteristics of the most frequently used implants and the lesional mechanisms. We analyze the role that bacteria may have on the induction and/or maintenance of such reactions and the correlation that may exist between some HLA haplotypes and the adverse reactions.
“Caracterization of the mast cell mediators release at intestinal level in patients with food allergy and irritable bowel syndrome. Connexion with stress and intestinal permeability”
Coordinator: Javier Santos, Mar Guilarte
Study on the role of the intestinal mast cell in the intestinal permeability in two imflamatory diseases, food allergy and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The study is being performed both in laboratory animals and in humans.
“Modifications on the expression of the antigen presentation costimulatory molecules by allergenic immunotherapy”
Coordinator: Victòria Cardona i Dahl
Specific immunotherapy may modify the expression of surface molecules of APC. The aim of the study is to determine the expression of CD23, CD80, CD86 in APCs (B lymphocytes and monocytes), as well as their ligands in T cells, CD21 and CD28, and to evaluate the possible modification induced by specific immunotherapy.
“Allergenicity and cross-reaction of pollen Senecio spp”
Coordinator: Victòria Cardona i Dahl
Seneci spp és un ampli gènere de plantes que pertany a la família de les Compostes, una de les més al·lergèniques del nostre medi. L’objectiu de l’estudi és determinar la prevalença de sensibilització a aquest pol·len entre els pacients amb al·lèrgia respiratòria, caracteritzar i purificar els principals al·lergens del pol·len.
“Allergenic profile with recombinant antigens in patients allergic to latex”
Coordinator:Victòria Cardona i Dahl
The different routes of sensitization and the various clinical expressions of latex allergy could be related to different patterns of sensitization. The aim of the study is to determine specific IgE against different recombinant latex allergens and to establish a correlation with the clinical data of the patients.
“Molecular basis of Rheumatoid arthritis”
Coordinator: Sara Marsal Barril
Genetic association and gene expression studies using high throughput technologies are performed for the study of the genetic component of RA, the identification of biological markers and the characterization of synovial fibroblast in RA.
“Fibromyalgia. Epidemiological and clinical aspects”
Coordinator: Cayetano Alegre de Miguel
A systematic revision of the efficacy and safety of pharmacological interventions in Fibromyalgia is actually performed. Furthermore, we are also interested in the identification of biological markers in Fribromyalgia.
“Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Epidemiological, genetic and clinical issues”
Coordinator: Consuelo Modesto Caballero
Together with all the pediatricians working in primary care and pediatric hospitals, an epidemiological study is being conducted to evaluate de incidence and prevalence of AII in Catalunya. For those cases with unusual presentation mutations in genes associated with other inflammatory diseases are also studied.