Nanoparticles that target the kidney to treat lupus nephritis
Official title: Treatment of lupus nephritis with nanoparticles that selectively target kidney glomeruli
Funded at University of South Florida · NIH-11332953 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project delivers prednisolone directly to the kidney glomeruli using targeted nanoparticles to help people with lupus nephritis while reducing systemic side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $247,139 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK134000-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11332953 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with biopsy-proven or clinically diagnosed lupus nephritis involving glomerular damage who need immunosuppressive therapy and are concerned about steroid toxicity would be the likely candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without kidney involvement from lupus, or those who need immediate standard treatments, are unlikely to benefit from this experimental delivery approach.
What this research studies
If I have lupus nephritis, researchers are creating tiny particles that home to the glomeruli (the kidney filters) and slowly release prednisolone right where it is needed. They plan to use a liposome shell carrying a tripolyphosphate-crosslinked chitosan core and attach collagen IV–binding peptides so the particles stick to the glomerular basement membrane. The goal is to concentrate steroid treatment in the kidney to control inflammation while lowering the risk of whole-body steroid side effects. This work is being developed in the lab with the aim of moving through animal testing toward possible future human studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide stronger, longer-lasting control of kidney inflammation with fewer systemic steroid side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Some kidney-targeted nanoparticle approaches have shown promise in preclinical (animal) studies, but this specific collagen IV–targeted liposome/chitosan system is largely preclinical and unproven in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Florida
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Ruisheng — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Liu, Ruisheng
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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.