Investigating how IL-4 affects certain B cells in lupus
Official title: AhR suppression of T-bet+ B cells in SLE
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11047839 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a substance called IL-4 affects certain B cells in people with lupus, aiming to find out how it helps keep some B cells calm and prevents the growth of those that could cause problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | November 19, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $555,774 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI182085-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11047839 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus or those with other autoimmune conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the role of IL-4 in regulating specific types of B cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It aims to understand how IL-4 interacts with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) to inhibit the development of certain activated B cells that are associated with autoimmune responses. By analyzing B cells from lupus patients, the researchers will investigate the mechanisms by which IL-4 promotes the maintenance of resting B cells and suppresses the formation of potentially harmful B cell types. This study employs advanced techniques such as single-cell transcriptomics and metabolome analysis to uncover the underlying biological processes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for managing lupus by targeting specific B cell pathways.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding B cell regulation in autoimmune diseases, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mountz, John D — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Mountz, John D
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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.