NIH-funded research P01 program project

Understanding skin interactions in lupus

Official title: Integrated Program for Cutaneous Immune-Stromal Interactions in SLE (IPCISS)

Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11009435 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how skin cells react to sunlight and how that might trigger flare-ups in people with lupus, with the hope of finding safer, personalized treatments to help manage the condition.

Quick facts

Grant typeP01 program project
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project startJune 5, 2025
Project endMay 31, 2030
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$1,540,008
NIH project number1P01AI179251-01A1
Project IDNIH-11009435 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus, particularly those experiencing skin-related symptoms.

Less likely to help

Patients with other autoimmune conditions not related to skin inflammation may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates how skin cells contribute to the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), particularly focusing on the effects of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. By examining the interactions between immune and skin cells, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that lead to skin inflammation and disease flares in SLE patients. The research employs advanced techniques, including multi-omic informatics and ATAC sequencing, to analyze cellular communication and inflammatory responses in the skin. The goal is to develop personalized and non-toxic treatment strategies based on these findings.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and safer treatments for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune interactions in autoimmune diseases, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
    Ann Arbor, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Kahlenberg, Joanne Michelle — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
  • Study coordinator: Kahlenberg, Joanne Michelle

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.