How lupus genes affect heart disease risk
Defining the Regulatory Landscape of Lupus with CVD Comorbidity
Researchers will look at genetic switches in immune cells to better understand why people with lupus often develop heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11235147 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will map DNA regulatory regions tied to lupus and cardiovascular disease, focusing on macrophages — immune cells that can drive artery damage. Scientists will use genetic data from people with lupus and lab tests on patient-derived and cultured macrophages to find regulatory variants that change gene activity. High-throughput genomic assays will be used to pinpoint which DNA changes alter immune cell function and link them to disease pathways. The goal is to connect specific genetic changes to faulty macrophage behavior that might increase heart disease risk in lupus.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults with systemic lupus erythematosus, especially those with known or rising risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, who can give blood or tissue samples.
Not a fit: People without lupus or whose heart disease is caused by non-atherosclerotic conditions are unlikely to see direct benefits from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets for therapies or tests to lower heart disease risk in people with lupus.
How similar studies have performed: Previous genetic and functional studies have linked immune regulatory variants to autoimmune disease, but applying large-scale macrophage-focused assays to connect lupus variants specifically to cardiovascular risk is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Oklahoma City, United States
- Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation — Oklahoma City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nath, Swapan K. — Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
- Study coordinator: Nath, Swapan K.
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.