Immune signals in African American women with hidradenitis suppurativa

Identification of Specific Immune Responses in African American Female Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa

NIH-funded research Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences · NIH-11261988

This project looks at genetic and immune differences linked to hidradenitis suppurativa in African American women to help explain why the disease is more severe in some groups.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionHenry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (East Lansing, United States)
Project IDNIH-11261988 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would be part of a study that compares genetic and immune data from African American women with hidradenitis suppurativa to people of other ancestries and sexes. The team will use whole-genome sequencing to search for rare and common genetic variants and analyze immune features in patient samples. They will combine new data from their cohorts with large resources like the All of Us whole-genome dataset to find ancestry- or sex-specific risk signals. The goal is to clarify biological reasons for racial and sex differences in HS and identify targets for better care.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal participants are African American women with a confirmed diagnosis of hidradenitis suppurativa who can provide a blood or saliva sample and medical history.

Not a fit: People without HS or those seeking immediate new treatments are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this genetic research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal biological causes of HS in African American women and guide more personalized treatments or prevention strategies.

How similar studies have performed: Genetic research on HS is limited—only one GWAS has been published—so this approach builds on limited prior evidence and is relatively novel in focusing on ancestry and sex differences.

Where this research is happening

East Lansing, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.