Pathogenic T cells in discoid lupus erythematosus
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11607165 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A doctor-scientist at Yale is studying why certain immune T cells cause skin damage in discoid lupus, with the goal of finding ways to reduce scarring and improve health for patients, especially African American women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,160 |
| NIH project number | 3K08AR081408-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11607165 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with discoid lupus erythematosus, especially African American women, who experience head/neck skin involvement and impaired quality of life.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without DLE or with unrelated lupus conditions are unlikely to benefit from this specific study.
What this research studies
Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) causes disfiguring skin damage on the head and neck and is challenging to treat. This grant plans to explore how pathogenic T cells adapt to the skin environment and drive inflammation, focusing on a transcription factor called HIF1 that may sustain harmful T cell activity in DLE. The research will use human tissue insights alongside animal models to uncover how HIF1 and related pathways contribute to tissue injury. Findings could reveal targets to limit T cell–mediated damage and improve skin health in DLE patients. The work aims to translate basic mechanisms into ideas for therapies that prevent scarring and improve quality of life for affected individuals, particularly African American women.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new treatments that reduce skin inflammation and prevent scarring in DLE patients.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies and human data suggest HIF1-related programs are linked to T cell–driven damage in lupus, supporting potential relevance to DLE.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Little, Alicia — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Little, Alicia
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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.