How environmental chemicals trigger autoimmune reactions
Early Pathogenic Steps in Xenobiotic-Induced Autoimmunity
This work looks at how exposures to chemicals like mercury can spark immune attacks that lead to diseases such as lupus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Scripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11234239 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or a loved one has an autoimmune condition or is worried about environmental triggers, this research uses animal models where known chemical exposures (for example, mercury) reliably cause lupus-like autoantibodies so scientists can observe the earliest immune changes. Researchers will follow how B cells and other immune cells respond after exposure, measure the appearance and specificity of autoantibodies, and analyze molecular signals that lead to loss of immune tolerance. Experiments combine controlled chemical exposures with cellular and molecular analyses over time to map the sequence of events. The aim is to reveal the first steps that start autoimmunity so future tests or treatments might detect or interrupt the disease earlier.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This grant does not enroll patients; it is laboratory-based research using animal models conducted at Scripps Research.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or clinical trial options are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this lab-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify early mechanisms that lead to autoimmunity and point to ways to detect or prevent diseases like lupus.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies reproducing mercury-induced autoantibodies and related pathology support the model, but identifying the precise early initiating steps remains relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- Scripps Research Institute, the — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pollard, Kenneth Michael — Scripps Research Institute, the
- Study coordinator: Pollard, Kenneth Michael
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.