NIH-funded research Fellowship grant

Understanding early signs of autoimmune diseases like Sjögren's and lupus

Official title: Early-Stage Autoimmunity in Sjögren's Disease and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Funded at University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr · NIH-10998323 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at people who have early signs of autoimmune diseases like Sjögren's and lupus to find helpful markers that can lead to quicker diagnoses and better treatments before the diseases fully develop.

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Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Oklahoma City, United States)
Project startAugust 1, 2024
Project endJuly 31, 2028
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$36,806
NIH project number1F31DE034904-01
Project IDNIH-10998323 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals showing early symptoms of Sjögren's disease or systemic lupus erythematosus, along with positive serological tests but who do not yet meet the full criteria for diagnosis.

Less likely to help

Patients who have already been diagnosed with advanced stages of Sjögren's disease or systemic lupus erythematosus may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the early stages of autoimmune diseases, specifically Sjögren's disease and systemic lupus erythematosus, by focusing on patients who show early symptoms and positive serology but do not yet meet full diagnostic criteria. The study aims to identify biomarkers that can help in early diagnosis and predict disease progression, which could lead to better-targeted therapies. By examining these early stages, the research seeks to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind these diseases without the confounding effects of long-term treatment or disease damage.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment options for patients with autoimmune diseases.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding early autoimmune disease mechanisms, but this specific approach focusing on non-classified patients is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
    Oklahoma City, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Wood, Rebecca Aden — University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
  • Study coordinator: Wood, Rebecca Aden

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Immunostimulatory short non-coding RNAs and lupus

    A study in people with lupus looks at tiny RNA pieces that may spark inflammation, to understand if they drive disease activity.

    NIH research Thomas Jefferson University · Philadelphia, United States · NIH-11497703

  • Antiviral factors that limit HIV in people with SLE

    Researchers at Howard University are studying how immune factors in people with lupus may help limit HIV infection.

    NIH research Howard University · Washington, United States · NIH-11470887

  • Mechanistic clues about lupus from immune disorders

    This grant looks at why certain immune disorders in people with genetic immune problems lead to lupus-like symptoms, by studying patients and mouse models.

    NIH research Seattle Children's Hospital · Seattle, United States · NIH-11449228

  • Subjective thinking challenges in adults with lupus as they age

    This grant aims to understand how lupus-related cognitive problems affect adults, especially older adults, and tests a real-time method to track daily fluctuations in those symptoms.

    NIH research Hospital for Special Surgery · New York, UNITED STATES · NIH-11442899

  • Mitochondrial targets of antibodies in lupus (SLE)

    A Johns Hopkins-led study will identify which mitochondrial membrane proteins are targeted by autoantibodies in lupus patients to understand how these immune attacks fuel the disease.

    NIH research Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, United States · NIH-11440181

  • Influenza, Hydroxychloroquine, and the Windows of Self-Peptide Presentation in Lupus

    A doctor-researcher is studying how flu infection and the lupus medication hydroxychloroquine change the way the immune system shows self-parts to trigger or prevent lupus flares in kids.

    NIH research Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · Philadelphia, United States · NIH-11438703

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.