# Thromboinflammatory consequences of infection-induced autoimmunity

> **NIH NIH K08** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2022 · $172,704

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
A growing body of evidence suggests that COVID-19 emulates many aspects of inflammatory and autoimmune
diseases. Circulating autoantibodies have been detected in serum of COVID-19 patients where they have an
antigen profile reminiscent of the lupus-associated thrombophilia known as antiphospholipid syndrome. While
the association between infection, critical illness, and the induction of autoantibodies has long been
recognized, pathogenesis and persistence of these antibodies—and most importantly the extent to which they
may be therapeutic targets—have not been well defined. This award will play a critical role in helping me
achieve my long-term career goals, which include: (1) Establishing a unique niche in the area of infection-
associated autoimmunity; (2) Becoming an independent investigator at a leading medical research institution;
and (3) Mentoring and fostering the development of trainees. These objectives will be reached by incorporating
both a strong mentorship environment and a formal instructional plan.
Mentorship Environment: I am currently an Assistant Professor in the Division of Rheumatology at the
University of Michigan with 75% of my effort protected for research. Over the past two years, I have received
strong training from Dr. Jason Knight in antiphospholipid syndrome pathogenesis. With this proposal, I am
seeking support for a new research endeavor, as I turn my attention to the thromboinflammatory
consequences of infection-associated autoimmunity. I have assembled a strong team of advisors, all experts in
their respective fields and carefully selected to compliment the proposed project and career development.
Formal Instruction: My scientific goals for this proposal include: (1) To expertly assess relevant measures of
thromboinflammation; (2) To effectively manipulate and characterize mouse models; and (3) To develop
laboratory skills in support of the study of autoantibodies and NETs in sepsis. Equally important are my career
development goals, which include: (1) To learn to write innovative proposals in support of ethically-conducted
research in humans and animals; (2) To enhance leadership, mentoring, and team-building skills; and (3) To
continue to improve my written and oral communication. These goals will be achieved through a combination of
mentorship, formal didactic instruction, and experimentation.
Research: I plan to use COVID-19 and other severe infections as a window into the origins of autoimmunity
and—in doing so—determine thromboinflammatory mechanisms of infection-associated autoantibodies. Aim 1
will elucidate the durability and clinical interactions of antiphospholipid antibodies and anti-NET antibodies in
patients hospitalized with either COVID-19 or non-COVID sepsis. Aim 2 will characterize pathogenic and
protective functions of infection-associated autoantibodies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10524822
- **Project number:** 1K08AR080205-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** Yu Zuo
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $172,704
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-08-01 → 2027-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10524822

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10524822, Thromboinflammatory consequences of infection-induced autoimmunity (1K08AR080205-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-31 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10524822. Licensed CC0.

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