How follicular T cells influence lupus and what this means for you
Official title: Pathogenic roles of follicular T cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11387106 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how a type of immune cell called follicular helper T cells affect lupus, with the goal of finding new ways to limit organ damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 12, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $855,342 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI200132-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11387106 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with systemic lupus erythematosus or at risk for lupus who may benefit from future therapies targeting Tfh cells and autoantibody production.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals or lupus patients who do not have the specific immune pathways involved may not benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
This project looks at how Tfh cells behave in lupus and how they might drive harmful autoantibody production. The study uses mouse models to explore the Igf1r/Igfbp4 pathway and its effect on Tfh differentiation and disease progression, as well as how Tfh cells shape pathogenic B cells. It also examines changes in Tfh cells within human lupus tissue. If successful, findings could point to new targets for therapies that reduce autoantibody-driven damage in people with lupus.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new treatments that slow or prevent organ damage from lupus by targeting Tfh cells and their interactions with B cells.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research shows that Tfh cells and their signaling pathways are involved in autoantibody production, supporting potential translation to human therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sage, Peter the — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Sage, Peter the
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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.