Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) received a $158,609 project grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847) for research on resident memory T cells in kidney disease during autoimmunity. The award, effective April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2031, supports investigator-initiated basic biomedical research aimed at improving understanding of disease mechanisms underlying lupus nephritis and related kidney pathology. The primary research deliverable involves scientific investigation into how resident memory T cells (TRMs) contribute to kidney inflammation and hypertension in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with the goal of identifying new therapeutic approaches to reduce kidney disease morbidity and mortality in this patient population.

The research addresses a critical gap in understanding local immune mechanisms within kidney tissue, as prior studies have predominantly focused on circulating autoimmune cells rather than tissue-resident immune populations. By characterizing the direct role of TRMs in glomerular inflammation and injury, the research is expected to generate foundational scientific knowledge that informs future clinical interventions for SLE patients, who experience significantly elevated rates of kidney disease, hypertension, and cardiovascular complications. The research will be conducted at UAB's Birmingham, Alabama facility.