Mapping which immune cells and genes drive lupus
Mapping the cell-type-specific molecular and genetic basis of lupus using single cell multiomics
This project uses single-cell multiomics to find which immune cell types and genetic changes drive lupus, with attention to people from Asian, African, and Hispanic ancestry groups.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247137 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would give small blood samples during different phases of your lupus (flare, recovery, and before/after treatment) while researchers use single-cell technologies to read each immune cell's genes, regulatory marks, and surface proteins. They will combine your cell-level data with large genetic studies to pinpoint which genetic variants act in which specific cell types. The team will use a new capillary blood sequencing method so blood can be collected more easily and repeatedly during flares and treatment. The hope is to group patients by cellular and genetic signatures that explain why symptoms and treatment responses differ.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), especially those willing to provide small, repeated blood samples and including women and individuals of Asian, African, or Hispanic ancestry, would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without SLE or those unwilling or unable to provide repeated blood samples are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify biomarkers to predict flares and guide more personalized treatment choices for people with lupus.
How similar studies have performed: Previous single-cell studies have revealed immune cell changes in SLE, but this multimodal, longitudinal approach with capillary sampling is relatively new and more comprehensive.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ye, Chun Jimmie — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Ye, Chun Jimmie
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.