Grant Funding

Jennifer Barnas, MD, PhD
The long-term objective of the study is to understand signals that regulate the development of ABC and autoreactive PC in lupus nephritis patients in hopes of identifying new therapeutic targets.

Jennifer Anolik, MD, PhD and Javier Rangel-Moreno, PhD
This project, funded by the Lupus Research Alliance, will investigate the ability a class of drugs currently approved to treat type 2 diabetes – sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors – to improve lupus nephritis and reduce kidney damage and improve kidney function. It will explore the complex interactions between nephritis disease progression, rogue immune cells stimulating lupus progression, tissue hypoxia, and kidney injury.

Allen Anandarajah, M.D., M.Sc.
The primary objective of the project is to deliver an integrated and patient-centered service model that provides high-quality care for patients with disabilities secondary to arthritis, from underserved and rural communities, by increasing patient engagement through patient education, promotion of self-management and exercise programs aimed at treatment of arthritis and related heart and bone disease.

Allen Anandarajah, M.D., M.Sc.
The TIMELY project aims to overcome the disparities in clinical trial participation by addressing provider and patient reported barriers to enrolling patients in lupus trials, using material developed through prior research efforts.

Allen Anandarajah, M.D., M.Sc.
This patient centered program targets patients with rheumatoid arthritis, especially those in underserved areas. The goals of the program include developing a comprehensive treatment plan for each patient enrolled, decrease co-morbidities, decrease hospitalizations and increase quality of life. (4/2021-12/2022)

Allen Anandarajah, M.D., M.Sc.
The purpose of this project is to improve health care for lupus patients by improving access to care and adherence to medication use, identifying and modifying behavioral and social impediments to on-going care and to provide an increased awareness of lupus in patients and the community. 

Jennifer Anolik, M.D., Ph.D.
(3/2022)

Benjamin Korman, M.D.

In the Katz R01, we are looking to evaluate the hypothesis that the "don't eat me" molecule CD47 is critical to RA pathogenesis and that reduction of CD47 signaling will reduce or reverse inflammatory arthritis via effects in immune and mesenchymal cells.  We will investigate this by first evaluating the cell specific implications of CD47 signaling via using histologic analysis from patient biopsies, single cell RNA-sequencing, and 3D organoid cultures derived from RA and OA patient samples.  We will then assess whether CD47 is required for inflammatory arthritis and bone erosion by evaluating CD47 knockout in different mouse models of inflammatory arthritis.  Finally, we will use the organoid model to screen combination therapies using anti-CD47 antibodies and biologic treatments and validate the most promising treatment strategies in vivo.

Benjamin Korman, M.D.

Benjamin Korman, M.D.
This project focuses on identifying how altered expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) leads to a pulmonary vascular phenotype. The grant looks to understand whether pathologic processes known to induce pulmonary hypertension in other systems occur in endothelial cells, to perform single-cell transcriptomics to understand which populations of cells are altered and how, and then to address the relative importance of the receptors TNFR1 and TNFR2 on the process. (4/1/2020-3/31/2022)

Bethany Marston, M.D.
The purpose of this award is to provide education and training opportunities that will build the rheumatology workforce to meet the growing demand for rheumatologic care. (7/1/2020)

Christopher Ritchlin, M.D., M.P.H.
(3/2022)

Jessica Stern, M.D.