Targeted treatment for kidney damage in lupus using nanoparticles
Official title: Treatment of lupus nephritis with nanoparticles that selectively target kidney glomeruli
Funded at University of South Florida · NIH-11115578 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to treat lupus nephritis by using tiny particles to deliver medicine directly to the damaged parts of your kidneys, aiming to make treatment safer and more effective for people with this condition.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $567,139 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK134000-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11115578 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with lupus nephritis who are experiencing kidney damage due to their autoimmune condition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with lupus nephritis who are not responsive to targeted therapies or those with end-stage renal disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new treatment for lupus nephritis, a serious kidney condition associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The approach involves creating nanoparticles that can deliver medication directly to the damaged areas of the kidneys, specifically targeting the glomeruli. By using a combination of liposomes and chitosan nanoparticles, the researchers aim to ensure that the medication is released in a controlled manner, minimizing side effects and improving treatment efficacy. This innovative method seeks to provide a more effective and safer alternative to current immunosuppressive therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and safer treatments for patients with lupus nephritis, reducing the need for harsh immunosuppressive drugs.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using targeted nanoparticle delivery systems for various conditions, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
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
Related research
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Objective classification of lupus nephritis using computer vision
A new computer vision tool uses deep learning to classify lupus nephritis from kidney tissue images to help doctors predict outcomes for patients with lupus.
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AI-powered look at lupus nephritis in humans and mice
Researchers will use artificial intelligence to compare kidney tissue from people with lupus nephritis to tissue from mouse models, aiming to understand why treatments work differently in humans.
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.