Obesity, leptin, and immune system changes linked to high blood pressure in women with lupus
Official title: The Impact of Obesity and Leptin on the Development of Immune System Dysfunction and Hypertension in Females with Systemic Lupus Erythematous
Funded at Augusta University · NIH-11408753 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to understand how obesity and leptin influence immune dysfunction and high blood pressure in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $291,638 |
| NIH project number | 5U54HL169191-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11408753 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women with systemic lupus erythematosus or individuals at risk due to obesity-related immune changes who may benefit from future translated therapies.
✕Less likely to help
People without lupus or those not affected by obesity-related immune alterations may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This research will use mouse models of SLE that mimic how obesity and fat distribution affect disease and blood pressure. Scientists will study how visceral fat and leptin-level changes in these models influence immune cells in fat tissue and the progression of hypertension. The project combines surgical and drug-based methods to manipulate fat and immune pathways to see how they drive disease in female SLE. Findings could reveal targets to reduce cardiovascular risk for people with lupus.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new ways to prevent or treat high blood pressure in women with lupus by addressing obesity-related immune mechanisms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show obesity and immune changes worsen lupus and hypertension in models, suggesting this approach could be beneficial but remains to be demonstrated in this specific setting.
Where this research is happening
-
Augusta University
Augusta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Taylor, Erin Bassford — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Taylor, Erin Bassford
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How belly fat and the hormone leptin may worsen immune problems and high blood pressure in women with lupus
This work looks at whether extra visceral fat and higher leptin levels make immune dysfunction and high blood pressure worse in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.
-
Targeting brain support cells to fight obesity-related high blood pressure
A study from the University of Iowa is looking at how brain cells called astrocytes may influence obesity-related hypertension and whether targeting them could help lower blood pressure.
-
Tissue transglutaminase as a target to reduce vascular stiffening and high blood pressure in obesity
A study explores whether blocking a specific enzyme in blood vessels can prevent stiffness and high blood pressure that often come with obesity.
-
Brainstem glial aging and dysfunction in obesity-related high blood pressure
This NIH grant explores how support cells in the brainstem (glia) become dysfunctional in obesity and contribute to high blood pressure, with findings that could lead to better treatments.
-
Angiotensin-(1-7) for obesity-related high blood pressure
This work looks at whether a natural hormone called angiotensin-(1-7) can lower blood pressure and improve blood vessel and metabolic health in people with obesity-linked hypertension.
-
How brain signals link obesity to high blood pressure
Looking at how brain signals in people with obesity cause high blood pressure to help find better ways to lower 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.