The dual role of PAR-2 in inflammation and osteoimmunology: potential for therapeutic intervention in inflammatory/erosive disease

This PhD studentship focuses on a highly novel drug target (PAR-2) that not only drives inflammation in disease such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but is also pivotal in the bone destructive aspects of disease. In brief, a microenvironment is generally established in the diseased joint that contains a number of potent enzymes that can “switch on” PAR-2. The activated PAR-2 then contributes to multiple ways that perpetuate the disease process. Tha aim of the studentship is to find out how PAR-2 can be activated by the disease microenvironment and how it can be controlled by newly designed drugs. The student will investigate the switching on of PAR-2 by synovial fliud in human cells. We anticipate the the results obtained by the student will allow us to dissect the cellular consequences of PAR-2 activation and the feasibility of reversing this activation by novel drugs. In summation this project will provide essential information for the development of innovative drugs that can target multiple aspects of inflammatory/erosive disease.