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Study Background

The immune system contains several different types of cells in the blood and other parts of the body. The body can fight infections well with the right balance of these cell types. The wrong balance of cell types may cause diseases, such as allergies or asthma. The COX-2 gene may help decide the balance of cell types that the body makes as part of the immune system. It may also play a role in certain immune system diseases. Researchers want to see how COX-2 affects the cells in the immune system.

Participants will have one study visit that will take place at the NIEHS Clinical Research Unit (CRU) in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and volunteers will be compensated for their time.

Participants will collect a urine sample at home on the morning of the study visit that they will then give to researchers. During the study visit, participants will review their medical history, have a physical exam, and provide a blood sample. No treatment will be provided as part of the study.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Ages Eligible for Study: 18–65 years
  • Genders Eligible for Study: All
  • Genotype information available for relevant 765G>C and 8473T>C COX2 polymorphisms, which indicates:
    • Individuals who are WT with respect to both 765G>C and 8473T>C (N=31)
    • Individuals who are WT with respect to 765G>C and homozygous for 8473T>C (N=31)
    • Individuals who are homozygous for both 765G>C and 8473T>C (N=31)
  • Race self-identified as White or Black and Non-Hispanic ethnicity
  • Willing and able to provide informed consent
  • Able to comply with all protocol procedures

Principal Investigator

Darryl C. Zeldin, M.D.
Darryl C. Zeldin, M.D.
Scientific Director and Principal Investigator
Tel 984-287-3641
[email protected]
P.O. Box 12233
Mail Drop A2-05
Durham, NC 27709