How lupus causes inflammation and damage in the kidneys
Project 1 - BIDMC
This work looks at how kidney cells change in people with lupus to find markers and targets that could help prevent or treat lupus nephritis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11324184 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers will examine how kidney resident cells (like podocytes and tubular cells) respond to the autoimmune signals present in lupus and how those changes lead to kidney inflammation and injury. They will compare molecular patterns found in kidney tissue with cells shed into the urine to see if urine tests can reflect what is happening inside the kidney. Laboratory models that lack specific molecules (such as CaMK4 or IL-23R) that were linked to inflammation will be used to test whether blocking those molecules prevents damage. The team aims to combine tissue, urine, and lab data to identify reliable biomarkers and potential targeted treatment approaches.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), especially those with current or past kidney involvement or at risk of developing lupus nephritis, who can provide urine samples and possibly clinical data or tissue samples.
Not a fit: People without SLE or with kidney disease from other known causes are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to urine-based markers and more precise, less toxic treatments for people with lupus nephritis.
How similar studies have performed: Early laboratory and animal work has shown that molecules like CaMK4 and IL-23R can drive kidney inflammation and that blocking them can prevent damage, but applying these findings to patient care remains new.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tsokos, George C — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Tsokos, George C
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.