The federal Project Grant award R01AI188364 was provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research (CFDA 93.855) program. The $709,019 grant supports research at the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI) to study the role of FOXP3 isoform expression in regulating autoantibody production in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The key objectives are to determine how the FOXP3E2 isoform affects regulatory T cell function and germinal center responses, as well as investigate FOXP3E2 expression in SLE and mixed connective tissue disease patient samples. This research aims to provide insights into the mechanisms underlying SLE pathogenesis and predisposition. The award has a period of performance from November 2024 through October 2029.