# A B-Cell Gene for Lupus

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON · 2021 · $393,430

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Over the recent past, several genome-wide association study (GWAS) analyses
have been conducted in connective tissue diseases such as Systemic lupus
erythematosus and Systemic Sclerosis. Interestingly, multiple B-cell genes have
been uncovered, including BANK1, BLK, CSK, PTPN22 and IRF8. Importantly,
the first four represent signaling molecules that play key roles in B-cell signaling,
essentially controlling BCR signal strength via a central axis. How these genes
function to cause systemic autoimmunity is poorly understood. Both systemic
autoimmune diseases are commoner in females, and the reasons for this
dimorphism are poorly understood. We have recently generated novel strains
that may help elucidate the contributions of disease genes and female gender to
heightened B-cell activation, breach of immune tolerance and autoantibody
production in systemic connective tissue diseases. A better understanding of the
pathogenic mechanisms underlying these disease will also pave the way towards
better therapeutics.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10168461
- **Project number:** 5R01AR072598-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
- **Principal Investigator:** CHANDRA MOHAN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $393,430
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-06 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10168461

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10168461, A B-Cell Gene for Lupus (5R01AR072598-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10168461. Licensed CC0.

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