Investigating genetic factors that increase the risk of autoimmune diseases like lupus
Official title: Functional consequences of intergenic autoimmune disease risk variants
Funded at Hospital for Special Surgery · NIH-11049139 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain genes might affect the immune system in people with lupus, with the hope that understanding these genetic factors can help create better treatments for the disease.
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 | March 3, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $807,441 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI164968-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11049139 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus or those with a family history of autoimmune diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with autoimmune conditions unrelated to systemic lupus erythematosus may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how specific genetic variants contribute to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a serious autoimmune disease. By examining non-coding regions of the genome, the study aims to identify regulatory variants that influence gene expression related to immune responses. The researchers will conduct a series of experiments to explore how these genetic factors affect immune cell function and contribute to the development of SLE. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to better-targeted therapies for autoimmune conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments and management strategies for patients with autoimmune diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding genetic contributions to autoimmune diseases, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
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Hospital for Special Surgery
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Niewold, Timothy B — Hospital for Special Surgery
- Study coordinator: Niewold, Timothy B
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.