In
my research, I have recently identified a human
betaretrovirus associated with Primary Biliary
Cirrhosis. Current areas of research include
investigating the prevalence of this human
betaretrovirus in patients with primary biliary
cirrhosis and breast cancer by assessing reverse
transcriptase activity, measuring viral levels by real
time RT-PCR and standard serologic assays using ELISA
and Western blot. Virus isolation studies are planned to
determine Koch’s postulates in vitro using a cell
culture model of primary biliary cirrhosis. In this
model, cells infected with the virus start to present
autoantigens normally hidden from the immune system on
the cell surface. Further studies will determine how the
virus promotes the autoimmune phenotype by adding
individual genes to the cells to determine the
mechanisms that promote autoimmunity. Other viral
cloning studies are underway with identification of a
novel retrovirus associated with Primary Sclerosing
Cholangitis. Serum and tissues samples from transplant
recipients have provided a rich resource for virus
discovery studies, as these immunosuppressed patients
tend to have a higher viral burden when infected. Viral
discovery projects in Sjogrens Syndrome, SLE and
Sarcoidosis are also in development.
I am also principal investigator for a multi-center randomized clinical trial using Combivir antiretroviral therapy to treat patients with primary biliary cirrhosis in North America and Europe. Other clinical research projects include the evaluation of recurrent hepatitis C virus infection in liver transplant recipients and the role of hepatitis C virus infection in causing type II diabetes.