Lupus Research Alliance Targets Kidney and Skin Damage with New Grants

Nunzio Bottini of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is utilizing his award to refine an antibody therapy designed to treat cutaneous lupus erythematosus. His research focuses on blocking the dual action of plasmacytoid dendritic cells and skin fibroblasts, which drive the chronic inflammation and scarring characteristic of the condition. Having demonstrated efficacy in mouse models, the project now moves toward the rigorous development required for human clinical testing.

Simultaneously, Jim Oates at the Medical University of South Carolina is investigating a repurposed drug, L-sepiapterin, to address the vascular and kidney damage associated with lupus nephritis. While standard care often relies on broad immune suppression, Oates aims to restore healthy endothelial function in blood vessels, potentially mitigating the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular disease. Both recipients previously received backing through the 2021 Lupus Innovation Awards, marking a strategic effort by the alliance to shepherd high-potential projects through the full innovation pipeline.