Genetic Basis of Individual Differences in Susceptibility to Gulf War Illness

Abstract

The primary aim of this work was to document genetic differences in susceptibility to organophosphorus compounds (like nerve agents) following high circulating glucorticoids as a model of Gulf War illness in inbred mouse strains. The proposal was to study the effects of the combined exposures in 30 mouse strains to show large genetic differences of the treatment on proinflammatory cytokine gene expression (evidence of neuroinflammation) dS a model of individual differences in Gulf War vets who experience the illness vs. those who do not. To date we have tested 870 mice of both sexes and from the 30 strains. As proposed, we have shown wide-genetic variability in response. Moreover, we are able at this time to nominate a likely candidate gene, Spondin 1, a gene that participates in inflammatory processes. We are now preparing our brain tissue samples for omnibus gene expression analysis. Overall, we are pleased with the progress so far.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2018
Accession Number
AD1060905

Entities

People

  • Byron C Jones

Organizations

  • University of Tennessee system

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biomedical Research
  • Cytokines
  • Department Of Defense
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Gene Expression
  • Genes
  • Genetic Mapping
  • Genetic Phenomena
  • Genetics
  • Gulfs
  • Nerve Agents
  • Organophosphates
  • Organophosphorus Compounds
  • Persian Gulf
  • Persian Gulf Syndrome
  • Tennessee

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Gulf War Illness and Chronic Multisymptom Illness in Veterans.
  • Molecular and genetic basis of cancer.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biotechnology - Cancer Biotech