Why lupus (SLE) symptoms and treatment responses differ between people
Project #1 Pascual
This project looks at immune and blood cell differences in people with lupus to find markers that explain why the disease varies and why some treatments don't work.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11182497 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would contribute blood samples that researchers analyze with bulk and single-cell gene and epigenetic methods to map which immune cells drive lupus in different people. The team grows red blood cells in the lab from participants' blood to study mitochondria-retaining red cells (Mito+ RBCs) and how they interact with autoantibodies and myeloid cells. They connect these cell-level findings to patient clinical features to find pathogenic loops that may explain disease variation and treatment failure. The aim is to find blood markers and cellular behaviors that could guide better-targeted therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus who can give blood samples, especially those with active or changing symptoms, would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without lupus, those unwilling or unable to provide blood samples, or patients whose disease is a known single-gene form may not receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify biomarkers and cellular targets that help doctors match treatments to the right lupus patients and reduce unsuccessful therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior single-cell and blood-profiling studies, including earlier work from this team, have revealed useful immune signatures in lupus, but turning those findings into reliable treatment decisions is still developing.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pascual, Maria Virginia — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Pascual, Maria Virginia
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.