Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Pittsburgh received a $499,175 Project Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855), effective April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2031. This award supports fundamental research to identify and characterize pathogenic B cell subsets in murine (mouse) models of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with emphasis on age-associated B cells (ABCs). The research aims to elucidate the genetic and functional characteristics of tissue-infiltrating B cells that drive autoimmune disease, including their molecular markers, activation pathways, and heterogeneity across organ systems affected by lupus (lung, liver, and kidneys).

The research outputs will advance understanding of B cell-mediated pathogenesis in SLE and support the rational design of targeted therapeutic interventions. Current therapies that deplete all B cells or block B cell survival factors leave patients partially immunocompromised; this investigation will provide mechanistic insights necessary to develop next-generation therapeutics that selectively target only pathogenic B cell subsets while preserving protective immunity. By defining the molecular and functional properties of ABC-like cells and other disease-associated B cell populations, this work contributes to the broader federal research mission of improving public health outcomes and advancing scientific knowledge regarding immunologic and autoimmune disease mechanisms.