Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) awarded a $172,720 Project Grant to the University of Michigan, effective May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2031, under the Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.846). The award supports research investigating neutrophil mitophagy (dysfunctional mitochondrial autophagy) as a pathogenic mechanism in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), an immunothrombotic disease characterized by recurrent thrombosis and pregnancy losses. The project will examine how impaired mitochondrial autophagy alters neutrophil metabolism to promote pathogenic neutrophil extracellular trap release, with the goal of advancing therapeutic interventions for APS patients who do not respond adequately to current anticoagulation-based treatments.

The research will be conducted at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor by an Assistant Professor in the Divisions of Rheumatology and Pediatric Rheumatology with 75% protected research time. The project incorporates structured mentorship from established experts in APS pathogenesis and cellular metabolism to support the principal investigator's career development as a funded researcher and future mentor. Research outputs will contribute to mechanistic understanding of APS pathogenesis and inform development of novel therapeutic strategies to address the approximately 20% of APS patients for whom standard anticoagulation therapy proves ineffective.