# Core 1: Pre-clinical Modeling Core

> **NIH NIH P50** · CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $314,148

## Abstract

The CORT Preclinical Modeling Core (PMC) will serve as a resource for the Collaborative Research 
Project (CRP), providing enabling technology and model systems that will be used to specifically test targets 
identified by the Applied Meta-Omics Core (AMC). The broad goal of the CWRU CORT is to combine new 
bioinformatic methodologies with advanced murine and human experimental approaches to translate 
scientific findings into clinical applications that more nimbly advance therapy for psoriasis and related 
inflammatory comorbidities. This goal requires a rich array of readily-deployable and flexible/adaptable 
psoriasis-relevant and innovative in vivo systems that permit testing of a wide range of novel concepts, roles of 
specific mediator/pathways, and efficacies of specific repurposed and anti-psoriasis drugs. The PMC will meet 
this need, by working closely with the AMC and CRP to provide all needed transgenic and psoriasiform mouse 
models and isolated tissues, blood and cells for analyses and bioinformatic-derived biomarker and target 
generation. The PMC will enable generation and testing by the CRP of hypotheses generated as a result of 
human and mouse bioinformatics data. The goals of the PMC include providing enabling materials, technology 
and expertise in psoriasis mouse models and mouse molecular genetics that will allow and enhance successful 
completion of the CRP Aims and Objectives. To support the CRP’s objectives, the PMC will: A. Provide 
genetically modified existing mouse models of psoriasiform skin inflammation; B. Engineer new innovative 
genetic mouse models based upon novel genes/proteins identified by the AMC; C. Provide primary cells 
isolated from genetically manipulated mice for ex vivo hypothesis testing; D. Identify the most appropriate 
psoriasis mouse model(s) to test efficacy of pathway-specific drugs identified by the AMC, and generate and 
provide mice to the CRP for preclinical testing and evaluation; and E. Generate germ-free mice and re- 
introduce bacteriome/mycobiome species identified by the AMC and provide animals to the CRP for analysis 
and hypothesis testing. The PMC will also provide reiterative data generation for additional “omics” data 
analyses and identification by the AMC of novel pathways, biomarkers, micro/mycobiome species, and cellular 
mediators, contributing new insight into psoriasis pathogenesis, enabling validation in clinical psoriasis patient 
samples. The PMC provides a coordinated center of excellence enabling the creation of new, and utilization of 
existing, animal models of psoriasis to better test the cellular and molecular mechanisms hypothesized to 
mediate psoriasis. Within the novel CORT structure of highly interactive Cores synergistically interacting with 
the central CRP, the PMC team's expertise, innovation and extensive resources will drive the CORT's 
transforming and sustainable impact on psoriasis understanding and clinical care.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10259874
- **Project number:** 5P50AR070590-05
- **Recipient organization:** CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Nicole Leanne Ward
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $314,148
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-20 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10259874

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10259874, Core 1: Pre-clinical Modeling Core (5P50AR070590-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10259874. Licensed CC0.

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