Modulating cleanup of dying cells in scleroderma
Official title: Modulation of efferocytosis in systemic sclerosis
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11372208 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A short program to understand how clearing dying cells affects organ fibrosis in systemic sclerosis and whether guiding this process could help people with the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $377,506 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AR086493-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11372208 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with systemic sclerosis or related autoimmune fibrosis could benefit from future therapies derived from this research.
✕Less likely to help
No immediate patient benefit until therapies are developed and tested in humans.
What this research studies
This project looks at how the body’s cleanup crew—specialist cells that remove dying cells—works in systemic sclerosis and how it might influence scarring in skin, lungs, and abdominal organs. Researchers will use a mouse and human cell-based approaches to study the signals that control efferocytosis and the subsequent inflammatory and fibrotic responses. By testing how altering this cleanup process changes fibrosis in models of the disease, the study aims to identify potential targets for therapies that could reduce organ damage.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new strategies to lessen organ fibrosis and improve quality of life for people with systemic sclerosis.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies in fibrosis and efferocytosis have shown that clearing dying cells can influence inflammation and tissue scarring, but this exact link in systemic sclerosis is being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Arandjelovic, Sanja — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Arandjelovic, Sanja
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how a cell protein (SLC9A1) drives skin and lung scarring in systemic sclerosis
A five-year NIH grant aims to understand how a specific cell protein called SLC9A1 influences scar-forming cells in systemic sclerosis and related lung disease, with the goal of finding possible therapies.
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From proteins and genes to new treatments for scar-related lung disease
A large NIH grant is working to map the proteins in the lungs of people with systemic sclerosis to find new targets for drugs that could slow or stop lung fibrosis.
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Cell-level clues to skin scarring in systemic sclerosis and localized scleroderma
A study at the University of Pittsburgh is looking at how skin cells and their helpers change at the DNA level in adults and children with systemic sclerosis to find new targets to reduce scarring.
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Clinical-Translational Studies in Skin, Lung, and Blood Vessel Problems in Systemic Sclerosis
A NIH grant supports coordinated efforts to understand and improve health for people with systemic sclerosis and related conditions by sharing resources, data, and pilot projects at MUSC.
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Role of A20 and DREAM in fat cells and skin scarring in systemic sclerosis
A research project at the University of Michigan looks at how differences in fat tissue and blood vessels relate to skin scarring in systemic sclerosis, with the aim of finding new ways to treat or prevent fibrosis.
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Vasculopathy in Systemic Sclerosis and Lung Disease in Adults
A study in adults with systemic sclerosis will look at how blood vessels in the lungs and body relate to the development of lung disease, with the aim of finding new ways to prevent it.
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.