Investigating how a specific gene affects kidney and heart health in African Americans with lupus.
SLE-AWARE: SLE-- A Window into APOL1 Regulation and Expression
This study is looking at how a specific gene might affect the health of African Americans with lupus, especially regarding their risk for kidney and heart problems, to find new ways to help improve their treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11087885 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of the Apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) gene in African Americans who have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and are at risk for kidney and cardiovascular diseases. By examining how inflammatory signals influence the expression of this gene, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that lead to worsened health outcomes in patients with certain genetic variants. The research utilizes cell cultures and animal models to explore these interactions, with the goal of identifying potential new treatment strategies that could benefit this vulnerable population.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are African American individuals diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus who carry specific genetic risk variants.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have systemic lupus erythematosus or those without the identified genetic risk variants may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted therapies that improve kidney and heart health for African Americans with lupus.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the genetic factors contributing to kidney and cardiovascular diseases in similar populations, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blazer, Ashira Deshon — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Blazer, Ashira Deshon
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.