Deciphering Pemphigus Risk Through Immune Gene Maps
Official title: Deciphering Genetic Susceptibility of Pemphigus through Immunomics
Funded at University of North Carolina Charlotte · NIH-11382943 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to map the genetic and immune signals that raise the risk of pemphigus, a rare autoimmune skin disease, in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Carolina Charlotte NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlotte, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $761,942 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI187588-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11382943 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with pemphigus or those at risk due to genetic background, plus healthy controls for comparative analyses.
✕Less likely to help
People without pemphigus or without genetic risk factors for the disease may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project will map the extended MHC region using long-read sequencing in people with pemphigus and in healthy controls. It will also use long-read single-cell RNA sequencing to compare gene expression and to map eQTLs at the single-cell level, helping us understand how immune cells drive disease. By examining T-cell repertoires, researchers aim to link specific genetic variants to disease-causing immune responses. The findings could point to new targets for diagnosis or therapy tailored to patients with pemphigus. The work is centered at UNC Charlotte and involves collaboration across populations to refine how genetics shapes disease risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This research could lead to better understanding of pemphigus risk and pave the way for personalized treatments or preventive strategies for affected individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown the value of MHC-focused genetic mapping and single-cell analyses in autoimmune conditions, but this project applies long-read tech to pemphigus specifically.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Carolina Charlotte
Charlotte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Augusto, Danillo G — University of North Carolina Charlotte
- Study coordinator: Augusto, Danillo G
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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.