APFED Announces 2020 HOPE Pilot Grant Recipient

Funded study will examine the role of QSOX1 in the pathogenesis of eosinophil-related diseases

ATLANTA, GA— The American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED) has awarded a 2020 HOPE Pilot Grant Award for promising research studying eosinophil-associated disease to Praveen Akuthota, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at UC San Diego Health.

Dr. Akuthota will receive $50,000 from APFED over a two-year period. His research project will explore the role of quiescin-sulfhydryl oxidase (QSOX1), which is an enzyme that influences oxidation and inflammation in different disease states.

Based on preliminary data from his lab that supports a role for QSOX1 in the pathogenesis of eosinophil-related diseases, Dr. Akuthota’s team will examine the mechanical properties of QSOX1 and whether interleukin-3 (a protein that induces inflammation) can stimulate QSOX1 release from eosinophils. His team will also measure QSOX1 in human samples from eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic asthma.

This research could identify a novel mechanism in the pathophysiology of eosinophilic asthma and has the potential to uncover a unique biomarker of the disease.

APFED’s HOPE Pilot grants are selected through a competitive peer-reviewed process. Applicants are invited to submit a novel research idea that shows promise and conforms to the APFED mission to improve the lives of those living with eosinophil-associated diseases. These proposals are then reviewed and scored by an ad-hoc panels of expert reviewers, which guides APFED to select the most impactful projects with innovative ideas to fund. Successful grantees demonstrate a plan and the potential to receive subsequent, larger funding for their project.

In addition, APFED is currently accepting applications for a 2021 HOPE Pilot Grant award. This award will provide a total of $50,000 over a 2-year period. Investigators from a variety of disciplines are encouraged to apply. Letters of Intent are due on January 15, 2021, and applications are due on March 1, 2021. For details and to submit an application, visit https://apfed.org/research/grant-application-for-researchers/.

To learn more about APFED’s HOPE on the Horizon Research Program and projects that APFED has funded, please visit apfed.org.

About the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED)

The American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to passionately embrace, support, and improve the lives of patients and families affected by eosinophil-associated diseases through education and awareness, research, support, and advocacy. https://apfed.org/

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