22 April 2005 Final Programme - The British Society for Rheumatology

14:30 – 16:30 Regenerative medicine and gene therapy Hall 4
Chair: Yuti Chernajovsky
• Genetic defects in co-stimulation - lessons for new therapeutic targets in
rheumatology Prof. H-H Peter, Freiburg, Germany
Based on mouse models and human immunodeficiences costimulatory molecules
of the B7-CD28 superfamily (e.g. CTLA-Ig, ICOS) and homeostasis regulating
molecules of the TNF-TNFR superfamilies (BAFF, BAFF-R, TACI) are becoming
increasingly interesting new therapeutic targets for systemic autoimmune disases.
• Tissue engineering: chances and challenges for application in rheumatic
diseases Dr. Michael Sittinger, Berlin, Germany
Autologous chondrocyte transplantation is routinely applied to treat traumatic
cartilage lesions. However, regenerative therapies for chronic joint diseases are
still in an experimental phase. Next generation tissue-engineering therapies
will depend on "smart" delivery concepts based on the regenerative potential
of progenitor cells and tissue forming growth factors
• Targeting cytokines to sites of inflammation Dr. Sandrine Vessillier, London, UK
Latent cytokines have been engineered to increase their half life and target their
activation to disease sites. Promising results have been obtained by DNA injection
in a collagen induced arthritis model.
• Inflammatory signalling and their cross talk during tissue development and
regeneration Dr. Gerhard Gross, Braunschweig, Germany
The downregulation of the inflammatory mediator protein, the MAP3-Kinase TAK1,
significantly enhances TGF-beta/BMP and HLH-transcription factor dependent tissue
regeneration. Signalling mediators leading to tendon/ligament formation in vitro
may be used for a regenerative therapy of tendons in vivo
• Development of regulated vectors for gene therapy application
Dr. David J. Gould, London, UK
Development of gene therapy vectors that permit pharmacological and/or disease
regulated transgene expression. How these vectors can be delivered in the
treatment of disease, and progress that has been made in experimental arthritis
models.
14:30 – 16:30 Current concepts in osteoporosis – a combined session with the Bone and
Tooth Society Hall 1
Chairs: Jon Tobias and Richard Eastell
• High bone mass phenotypes and osteoporosis Prof. Matthew Warman,
Cleveland, USA An overview of the role of the cell surface receptor "low density
lipoprotein receptor related protein 5" (LRP5) and the Wnt signalling pathway in
human disorders of high and low bone mass.
• The role of the RANK/RANKL pathway Prof. Steven Goldring, Boston. USA
The talk will review the role of the RANK/RANKL pathway in the pathogenesis of
bone loss associated with inflammatory arthritis. Potential approaches for
targeting this pathway to prevent articular and systemic bone loss in patients with
rheumatoid arthritis and related forms of inflammatory joint disease will be
discussed."
• Role of anabolic therapy in the treatment of osteoporosis Prof. Robert Lindsay,
New York, USA
Most agents available for osteoporosis treatment are antiresorptive in their action.
That is they reduce remodling rate and stabilize bone density with a subsequent
reduction in fracture rate. So called anabolic agents (such as teriparatide)
stimulate both bone formation and remodeling. The consequence is increased
trabecular size and number as well as increased cortical thickness. These agents
repair at least some of the structural damage that we call osteoporosis. They also
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