How social experiences and stress may change genes in people with lupus
Social Factors, Epigenomics and Lupus Assessment (SELA)
['FUNDING_R01'] · EMORY UNIVERSITY · NIH-11370909
This project looks at whether positive and negative social experiences change chemical tags on DNA in people with lupus and how those changes relate to disease severity.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | EMORY UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ATLANTA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11370909 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would be asked about your life experiences and symptoms and to give blood samples so researchers can measure DNA methylation and immune markers. The team will use survey responses, clinical records from their existing lupus registry, and lab tests to link social factors to changes in gene activity. They focus on immune, inflammation, and energy metabolism pathways that can affect lupus. The approach combines social data with biological samples to find patterns that might explain differences in disease across groups.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus, especially from diverse demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds who can provide blood samples and complete surveys, would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without lupus or those looking for an immediate change in their medical treatment should not expect direct or immediate clinical benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help explain why some groups have worse lupus and point toward prevention strategies or more personalized care in the future.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked social stress and other experiences to epigenetic changes in immune cells, but integrating registry data, detailed social measures, and methylation profiling in lupus is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
ATLANTA, UNITED STATES
- EMORY UNIVERSITY — ATLANTA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: RAMOS, PAULA SOFIA — EMORY UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: RAMOS, PAULA SOFIA
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.
Conditions: Autoimmune Diseases