Clinical-Translational Studies in Skin, Lung, and Blood Vessel Problems in Systemic Sclerosis
Official title: Clinical-Translational Studies in Skin, Lung, and Vascular Complications in Systemic Sclerosis
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11419857 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A NIH grant supports coordinated efforts to understand and improve health for people with systemic sclerosis and related conditions by sharing resources, data, and pilot projects at MUSC.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,563,264 |
| NIH project number | 5P50AR080612-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11419857 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, vasculitis, or other debilitating rheumatic diseases may benefit from improved care tools and potential future trials stemming from this program.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not enrolled in any pilot projects or not connected to rheumatic disease care may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This grant funds a Center Administrative Core that leads a network of clinicians and researchers focused on systemic sclerosis, lupus, vasculitis, and other rheumatic diseases. It provides leadership, data and sample management, and a pilot project program to test ideas with institutional support. The aim is to speed translation from basic findings to better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for patients disproportionately affected by these diseases. The center promotes collaboration, ensures high-quality outputs, and shares resources with other centers to maximize impact. Patient-focused dissemination and responsible conduct are emphasized in line with civil-rights and NIH policies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from faster access to new diagnostics and treatments developed through coordinated, cross-disciplinary research.
How similar studies have gone: Past center-core models have accelerated collaboration and translation in rheumatic disease research, though the pilot-program approach is expanding current safeguards and impact.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lafyatis, Robert a. — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Lafyatis, Robert a.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how a cell protein (SLC9A1) drives skin and lung scarring in systemic sclerosis
A five-year NIH grant aims to understand how a specific cell protein called SLC9A1 influences scar-forming cells in systemic sclerosis and related lung disease, with the goal of finding possible therapies.
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From proteins and genes to new treatments for scar-related lung disease
A large NIH grant is working to map the proteins in the lungs of people with systemic sclerosis to find new targets for drugs that could slow or stop lung fibrosis.
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Cell-level clues to skin scarring in systemic sclerosis and localized scleroderma
A study at the University of Pittsburgh is looking at how skin cells and their helpers change at the DNA level in adults and children with systemic sclerosis to find new targets to reduce scarring.
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Role of A20 and DREAM in fat cells and skin scarring in systemic sclerosis
A research project at the University of Michigan looks at how differences in fat tissue and blood vessels relate to skin scarring in systemic sclerosis, with the aim of finding new ways to treat or prevent fibrosis.
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Vasculopathy in Systemic Sclerosis and Lung Disease in Adults
A study in adults with systemic sclerosis will look at how blood vessels in the lungs and body relate to the development of lung disease, with the aim of finding new ways to prevent it.
-
Validating New Outcomes to Support Systemic Sclerosis Calcinosis Trials
A patient-facing look at a study to test reliable ways to measure changes in painful skin calcium deposits from systemic sclerosis to help run future treatments.
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.