# Antibody-mediated suppression of autoimmunity in humanized mice

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2020 · $162,494

## Abstract

Abstract
We recently reported that the proinflammatory cytokine hormone leptin accelerated the development and
progression of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in lupus-prone (NZB x NZW)F1 (NZB/W) mice.
Interestingly, leptin inhibition in severely nephritic NZB/W mice associated with a significant increase in
survival and amelioration of multiple disease manifestations, suggesting that this approach could represent a
new modality of therapeutic intervention in the disease. Building on these findings, we aim to test the
possibility of leptin-based intervention in human SLE for the reduction of circulating autoantibodies, delayed
disease progression, and improved outcomes. Specifically, we developed fully human anti-leptin and anti-
leptin receptor monoclonal antibodies (mAb) that will be tested in two different mouse model systems
reconstituted with human cells through the following specific aims: 1) To evaluate the in vivo therapeutic
efficacy of leptin inhibition in SLE using human mAb in humanized lupus mice; 2) To investigate the
mechanisms induced in vivo by leptin blockade. Together, these studies will inform about the efficacy of leptin
antagonism in human SLE, laying critical grounds for subsequent clinical trials in the disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9895546
- **Project number:** 5R21HD097531-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** ANTONIO LA CAVA
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $162,494
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-03-17 → 2022-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9895546

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9895546, Antibody-mediated suppression of autoimmunity in humanized mice (5R21HD097531-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9895546. Licensed CC0.

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