Understanding why autoimmune diseases affect women more than men.
Official title: Determinants of sex disparities in autoimmune endocrinopathies.
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10845212 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why autoimmune hormone-related conditions are more common in women than in men, focusing on how hormones and genetics might play a role, and it invites patients to help by providing samples to better understand these differences.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $122,239 |
| NIH project number | 1U19AI181729-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10845212 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation include individuals diagnosed with autoimmune endocrinopathies, particularly women, as well as men with Klinefelter Syndrome.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with autoimmune conditions that do not involve endocrine glands or those without a sex disparity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the reasons behind the higher prevalence of autoimmune endocrinopathies in women compared to men. It focuses on the roles of sex hormones, particularly androgens, and genetic factors such as X chromosome copy number in influencing immune responses. By examining how these factors affect the differentiation of immune cells, the study aims to uncover the biological mechanisms that contribute to these sex disparities. Patients may be involved in providing samples to help explore these differences further.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for autoimmune diseases that disproportionately affect women.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that hormonal and genetic factors play significant roles in autoimmune diseases, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Su, Maureen a — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Su, Maureen a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how genetic changes in blood cells relate to heart disease in people with HIV
A study will look at how age-related blood cell mutations and large chromosomal changes might contribute to heart disease risk in people living with HIV.
-
Systems genetics of vascular smooth muscle phenotypes in heart disease
Aims to understand how genetic differences influence vascular smooth muscle cells to improve prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease.
-
Motivation for Alcohol Use in Humans and How It Can Be Measured
This grant explores how people are motivated to drink alcohol and tests a safe, controlled way to study that motivation to inform better treatments for alcohol use disorder.
-
Overcoming CAR T cell resistance with tumor-targeted IL-12 to boost anti-tumor immunity
Aims to make CAR T cell therapy work better for solid tumors by using tumor-focused IL-12 to boost the body’s attack on cancer.
-
PediCODE: A Biorepository and Consortium for CoDE - Congenital Diarrhea and Enteropathy
A nationwide effort to collect clinical data and patient-derived samples to uncover the genetic causes of congenital diarrhea and enteropathy and to build a resource that helps researchers study these diseases.
-
Mentor Moms+: a community-led plan to cut alcohol use and HIV risk during pregnancy in South Africa
A community-based program adapts a trusted peer-led model to help pregnant and lactating people reduce alcohol use and HIV risk in South Africa.
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.