Salt and immune system link to high blood pressure and lupus
Official title: Salt Sensitivity of Blood pressure (SSBP) and Autoimmune Lupus (SLE)
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11393002 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-friendly study examines how salt affects immune cells to contribute to high blood pressure and lupus, with potential ways to reduce damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $479,091 |
| NIH project number | 5P01HL174442-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393002 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include adults with lupus (SLE) and/or salt-sensitive hypertension, plus individuals willing to participate in genetic and cellular analyses.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without lupus or salt sensitivity may not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
This project looks at how salt in our diet may cause immune cells to react in ways that raise blood pressure and worsen lupus. Researchers study both people and animal models to understand the biology, focusing on how sodium enters immune cells and triggers inflammation. They test interventions like 2-HOBA to see if blocking these processes can improve blood vessel health and reduce lupus activity. The work combines advanced techniques, including CITE-seq, to link cellular changes with clinical measurements such as blood pressure and kidney function. Results could pave the way for new treatments that protect heart and kidney health in patients with lupus and salt-sensitive hypertension.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies to lower cardiovascular risk for people with lupus and salt-sensitive blood pressure.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary studies show that salt-related immune changes occur in humans and animals, with promising signals for targeting immune pathways.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kirabo, Annet — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Kirabo, Annet
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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.