How belly fat and the hormone leptin may worsen immune problems and high blood pressure in women with lupus
The Impact of Obesity and Leptin on the Development of Immune System Dysfunction and Hypertension in Females with Systemic Lupus Erythematous
This work looks at whether extra visceral fat and higher leptin levels make immune dysfunction and high blood pressure worse in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11180418 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use two female mouse models that mimic human lupus and develop high blood pressure to mimic disease processes seen in women with SLE. They will measure visceral fat, leptin levels, autoantibodies, and immune cells in fat and blood as disease progresses. The team will alter adipose tissue surgically and with drugs, and manipulate leptin or immune-cell activity to see how those changes affect lupus severity and hypertension. Results are intended to point to pathways that could be targeted to lower cardiovascular risk in people with SLE.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus—especially those with central/visceral obesity or elevated leptin—would be most relevant to the findings.
Not a fit: People without SLE or whose high blood pressure is caused by unrelated factors (not linked to obesity or leptin) are less likely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify targets related to obesity and leptin that might reduce immune-driven inflammation and hypertension in women with lupus.
How similar studies have performed: Prior clinical and animal work has linked leptin and visceral fat to worse autoimmunity and cardiovascular risk, but combining mechanistic leptin/adipose interventions in female lupus models is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Augusta, United States
- Augusta University — Augusta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Taylor, Erin Bassford — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Taylor, Erin Bassford
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 below.