How lymphatic flow affects immune activity in lupus
Official title: Lymphatic regulation of lymph node function in lupus
Funded at Hospital for Special Surgery · NIH-11286632 · Data updated 2026-11-12
The team is working to improve lymphatic flow to lower skin sensitivity and harmful immune activity in people with systemic lupus (SLE).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hospital for Special Surgery NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | February 1, 2010 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $517,058 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI079178-14 |
| Project ID | NIH-11286632 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus, especially those who notice sun-triggered skin rashes or disease flares.
✕Less likely to help
People without lupus or whose symptoms are not linked to photosensitivity or lymphatic problems are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
What this research studies
You may know that sunlight can trigger lupus skin rashes and flares; this work looks at the lymphatic vessels that carry fluid and immune signals from your skin to nearby lymph nodes. Researchers will use patient samples alongside animal models to measure lymphatic flow, immune cell changes in draining lymph nodes, and autoantibody production. They will try ways to boost lymphatic flow to see if that reduces skin photosensitivity and the immune responses that drive flares. The overall aim is to map the steps from sun exposure to systemic flare so future treatments can target the lymphatic pathway.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent sun-triggered skin rashes and wider lupus flares by restoring healthy lymphatic flow.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies and preliminary human sample data show compromised lymphatic flow in lupus and that improving flow can reduce skin inflammation and antibody responses, but translating this into human treatments is still novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Hospital for Special Surgery
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Theresa T. — Hospital for Special Surgery
- Study coordinator: Lu, Theresa T.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Researchers at Howard University are studying how immune factors in people with lupus may help limit HIV infection.
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PTPRS and lupus nephritis: a new target to reduce kidney damage in lupus
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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.