Human Leukocyte Antigen in Gulf War Veterans: Association with Symptoms and Inflammatory Markers

Abstract

GWI has affected a large number of veterans who served during the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War. Despite extensive study, the pathogenesis and pathophysiology remain unclear. There is evidence of genetic effects and blood biomarkers that point to disruptions in immune system function as one underlying cause of GWI symptoms; however, studies evaluating immune system involvement in GWI have typically included small, non-representative samples. This project aims to evaluate GWI symptoms, genes associated with immune system functioning, and biomarkers of immune system dysfunction, inflammation, and autoimmunity in a large sample of Gulf War veterans with and without GWI to elucidate the relation of GWI to immune system dysfunction. If our hypothesis that GWI reflects immune system dysfunction resulting from genetic susceptibility coupled with environmental exposure(s) is supported, this will open new avenues of potential treatment, consistent with the burgeoning field of immunogenetics.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2019
Accession Number
AD1095250

Entities

People

  • Lisa M. James

Organizations

  • University of Minnesota

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Biomedical Research
  • Blood
  • Data Acquisition
  • Department Of Defense
  • Dysfunction
  • Electronic Mail
  • Environmental Exposure
  • Genetics
  • Gulfs
  • Immune System
  • Leukocytes
  • Organizational Structure
  • Patent Applications
  • Persian Gulf
  • Persian Gulf Syndrome
  • Persian Gulf War

Readers

  • Gulf War Illness and Chronic Multisymptom Illness in Veterans.
  • Immunology

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology