Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center received a $249,000 Project Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855), awarded on June 11, 2026, with completion targeted for May 31, 2028. This research initiative focuses on investigating autoreactive T cell mechanisms in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), specifically examining how autoreactive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells interact with autoreactive B cells to drive autoimmune disease. The research aims to identify targeted therapeutic intervention points that can selectively block autoreactive immune responses while preserving protective immunity.

The project delivers biomedical research activities that will advance understanding of critical interactions between T and B cells in SLE pathogenesis, including investigations into whether these interactions occur within germinal centers or extrafollicular responses, gene expression profiles specific to autoreactive CD4+ T cells, and the role of CD8+ T cells in modulating autoreactive B cell fate. Research outputs generated through this funding will contribute to improved scientific knowledge and identification of more targeted therapeutic strategies for lupus treatment, moving beyond broad B cell depletion approaches to precision immunotherapy that addresses underlying pathogenic mechanisms of this systemic autoimmune disease.