Oklahoma Sjögren’s Syndrome Center of Research Translation (OSSCORT)

The Oklahoma Sjögren’s Syndrome Center of Research Translation (OSSCORT) has been developed with the goal of implementing the resources and administrative structure to facilitate the translation of laboratory-based research in Sjögren’s syndrome into relevant diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic innovations in the field of autoimmune disease.

The OSSCORT has the unique opportunity to bring together a strong core of well-funded laboratory-based scientists and clinical researchers at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, with a multidisciplinary network of investigators committed to Sjögren’s syndrome research from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and multiple U.S. and international sites.

The OSSCORT’s first phase consists of three projects:

• Project 1 addresses the genetics of SS by applying state-of-the-art genome wide association, fine-mapping and replication experiments, as well as genotypic delineation of sub-phenotypes.
• Project 2 has developed innovative approaches to reveal key features of T cell immune dysregulation in Sjögren’s
• Project 3 utilizes in vitro and a humanized mouse model of SS to test the hypothesis that B cells infiltrating the salivary glands of patients make autoantibodies that are in part responsible for the exocrine glandular dysfunction.

Three cores support the OSSCORT, which also has supported a highly productive Enrichment Program. The Cores that assist and facilitate the OSSCORT are an Administrative Core, a Clinical Core and a Data Analysis and Bioinformatics Core.