Autoimmunity-Linked B Cells in Lupus Kidney Disease
Official title: Autoimmunity-Associated B Cells in Lupus Nephritis
Funded at University of Rochester · NIH-11335628 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how a special immune cell subset called autoimmunity-associated B cells behave in lupus nephritis and how they may become antibody-making cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | June 16, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $192,240 |
| NIH project number | 5K08AI168450-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11335628 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with lupus nephritis or related autoimmune kidney involvement who may contribute samples or participate in future studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without active lupus nephritis or those who do not contribute samples may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This five-year program investigates signals that drive autoimmunity-associated B cells in the kidneys of lupus patients and how these cells turn into plasma cells that produce autoantibodies. The project will look at how interferon lambda influences ABCs and related gene activity, using epigenetic and transcriptomic analyses. It also will map how ABCs interact with neighboring cells in the kidney to reveal the microenvironment that supports disease activity. The results could point to new targets for therapies to control kidney inflammation in lupus. This is framed as both research and career development for the investigator.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new therapeutic targets to prevent kidney damage in lupus by stopping harmful B cell pathways.
How similar studies have gone: Early data suggest ABCs expand during lupus activity and relate to autoantibody production, but the exact regulatory signals are still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barnas, Jennifer Lynn — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Barnas, Jennifer Lynn
Related research
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.