LncRNA XIST RNPs and female-predominant autoimmunity
Official title: "Lnc"ing XIST Ribonucleoprotein Particles to Female Sex-Attributed Biases in Autoimmunity
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11393834 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Duke University study will explore whether XIST-containing ribonucleoprotein particles contribute to autoimmune disease risk in people, especially women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $236,550 |
| NIH project number | 5R00AR080218-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393834 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include people with autoimmune diseases or those at increased risk due to sex chromosome factors or family history, and patients providing serum samples for testing.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without autoimmune risk factors or related conditions may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project looks at how the XIST RNA complex might influence autoimmune diseases that disproportionately affect women. Researchers will study XIST RNPs in immune cells in the lab, test a special mouse model that expresses XIST RNPs, and examine patient serum for signs of reactivity to XIST-related components. The goal is to uncover mechanisms that could explain why autoimmunity is more common in females and identify potential biomarkers linked to XIST. If successful, findings could point toward new ways to predict or prevent autoimmunity in high-risk individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding XIST-related mechanisms could lead to new biomarkers or strategies to reduce autoimmune risk, especially in women.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked XIST and sex differences to immune function, but this specific XIST RNP approach is novel and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dou, Diana Remy — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Dou, Diana Remy
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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.