Influenza, Hydroxychloroquine, and the Windows of Self-Peptide Presentation in Lupus
Official title: Influenza and Hydroxychloroquine Shaping of Self-Antigen Presentation in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Funded at Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-11438703 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A doctor-researcher is studying how flu infection and the lupus medication hydroxychloroquine change the way the immune system shows self-parts to trigger or prevent lupus flares in kids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | August 12, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $165,456 |
| NIH project number | 1K08AI203036-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11438703 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pediatric patients with systemic lupus erythematosus or monitoring autoimmune responses related to SLE.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without lupus or those not affected by antigen presentation changes in SLE may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project looks at how influenza A and hydroxychloroquine affect the pathways that present self-antigens to the immune system in pediatric lupus patients. Using lab studies in cells and detailed pathway analyses, the team aims to map the endogenous MHC II processing routes that change self-peptide presentation when flu is present and HCQ is used. The work may uncover why infections can trigger flares and how HCQ helps keep the immune system in check, guiding better treatments for children with SLE. The focus is on translating basic mechanisms into insights that could influence future therapies and flare prevention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these pathways could lead to improved strategies to prevent lupus flares in children and optimize HCQ use.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that viral triggers can alter antigen presentation; this project builds on those findings with a specific focus on IAV and HCQ in SLE.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rood, Julia Elizabeth — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Rood, Julia Elizabeth
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Immunostimulatory short non-coding RNAs and lupus
A study in people with lupus looks at tiny RNA pieces that may spark inflammation, to understand if they drive disease activity.
-
Antiviral factors that limit HIV in people with SLE
Researchers at Howard University are studying how immune factors in people with lupus may help limit HIV infection.
-
Mechanistic clues about lupus from immune disorders
This grant looks at why certain immune disorders in people with genetic immune problems lead to lupus-like symptoms, by studying patients and mouse models.
-
Subjective thinking challenges in adults with lupus as they age
This grant aims to understand how lupus-related cognitive problems affect adults, especially older adults, and tests a real-time method to track daily fluctuations in those symptoms.
-
Mitochondrial targets of antibodies in lupus (SLE)
A Johns Hopkins-led study will identify which mitochondrial membrane proteins are targeted by autoantibodies in lupus patients to understand how these immune attacks fuel the disease.
-
Thinking and brain changes in childhood lupus
This project uses brain scans and cognitive tests to learn why children with lupus sometimes have trouble with thinking and school.
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.