Understanding the Immune System's Role in Lupus
Immune Responses in Lupus
This research looks at how certain immune cells, called Tfh cells and B cells, contribute to the body mistakenly attacking itself in people with lupus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11076689 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Lupus is a condition where the body's immune system creates antibodies that can harm its own healthy tissues. Special immune cells, known as follicular B helper T (Tfh) cells, are normally essential for B cells to produce antibodies and develop memory. In lupus, these Tfh and B cells behave differently, staying active for too long and producing harmful autoantibodies. This project aims to understand why these cells remain chronically active in lupus by studying their characteristics and the signals they produce. By gaining a deeper understanding of this persistent immune activity, we hope to find new ways to help manage lupus.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant for anyone living with systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus).
Not a fit: Patients not diagnosed with lupus or other autoimmune conditions may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to stop the immune system from attacking healthy tissues in lupus, potentially offering new treatment options.
How similar studies have performed: This research builds upon existing knowledge of immune cells in lupus, exploring specific aspects of their behavior that are not yet fully understood.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Craft, Joseph Edgar — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Craft, Joseph Edgar
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.