Understanding a Specific Immune Cell in Lupus
Expanded Double Negative T cells in SLE.
This research aims to better understand how certain immune cells, called double negative T cells, contribute to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (lupus) in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11091546 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Lupus affects millions of Americans, causing significant health problems, and we still need better treatments and a deeper understanding of the disease. This project focuses on a specific type of immune cell, called double negative T cells, which are more common in people with lupus and seem to play a role in inflammation and antibody production. Researchers are using advanced techniques to look closely at these cells in both lupus-prone mice and human patients, especially in the blood and kidneys. The goal is to learn how these cells develop and cause inflammation, which could lead to new ways to stop them.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus who are willing to provide blood or tissue samples for advanced immune cell analysis may be ideal candidates for future related studies.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or are not interested in contributing biological samples for basic science research would not directly benefit from this specific work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to target and suppress the specific immune cells that cause inflammation in lupus, potentially offering more effective treatments.
How similar studies have performed: While the role of T cells in lupus is known, this specific focus on "double negative T cells" and their detailed characterization using advanced technologies represents a novel approach to understanding their pathogenic role.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tsokos, George C — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Tsokos, George C
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 below.