How T cells control harmful B cells in lupus
T cell regulation of pathogenic B cells in systemic autoimmunity
This project looks at how certain T cells influence B cells that make damaging autoantibodies in people with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11266226 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are tracing which T cell signals drive the emergence of harmful B cell types that produce autoantibodies in lupus. The team will compare immune cells from lupus-prone mice with samples from people with lupus to follow how these B cells develop over time and as disease worsens. They will focus on a specific B cell subset called Tbet+ (CD11c+Tbet+) cells and study how T cell help and inflammatory signals cause these cells to switch antibody types and become antibody-secreting cells. The goal is to map the pathways that generate pathogenic antibodies and point to targets that could be blocked to reduce tissue-damaging autoantibodies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus, especially those with active disease or rising autoantibody levels, would be the most relevant candidates for related clinical sample collection or future trials.
Not a fit: People without lupus or those seeking an immediate treatment are unlikely to get direct benefits from this basic-immunology research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify immune pathways to target that reduce harmful autoantibody production in lupus.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and human studies have linked Tbet+ B cells to lupus and shown that altering T cell–B cell interactions can lower autoantibodies in models, but translating these findings into human therapies remains early and novel.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences — Newark, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weinstein, Jason — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Weinstein, Jason
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.