Understanding the autoimmune causes of fat loss disorders
Official title: Autoimmune Basis of Acquired Lipodystrophies
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-10981898 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why some people lose body fat due to autoimmune issues, and it aims to find specific antibodies in their blood that might be causing this problem, using samples from patients and experiments with mice to learn more about what's happening.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $673,344 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK137904-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10981898 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with acquired generalized lipodystrophy or acquired partial lipodystrophy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with lipodystrophies not related to autoimmune processes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the autoimmune mechanisms behind acquired lipodystrophies, conditions where patients lose body fat either completely or partially. The study aims to identify specific autoantibodies that target adipocyte proteins, which may contribute to these disorders. Using advanced techniques like Phage ImmunoPrecipitation Sequencing and Human Proteome Microarrays, researchers will analyze serum samples from affected patients to uncover the underlying causes of fat loss. Additionally, the research will explore autoimmune responses in a mouse model to better understand the disease mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new diagnostic tools and treatments for patients suffering from autoimmune lipodystrophies.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of identifying autoantibodies in lipodystrophies is novel, similar methodologies have shown promise in understanding other autoimmune diseases.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garg, Abhimanyu — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Garg, Abhimanyu
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.