Clinical Research Directory

Neuron-specific Humoral and Cellular Immune Correlates of Structural and Functional Brain Connectomics in Neuropsychiatric Lupus

Sponsor: IRCCS San Raffaele

Summary

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the prototype systemic autoimmune disease. Neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE) is a major cause of morbidity. Its pathophysiology remains unclear and target autoantigens have not yet been identified. Site- specific autoantigen expression might correlate with imaging abnormalities. Based on existing expertise on the use of peptide/protein arrays and on antigen-specific T cell tracking, we plan to identify new fingerprints and targets for NPSLE. SLE patients +/- NPSLE and healthy subjects will undergo advanced magnetic resonance imaging. Three-dimensional data on structural or functional brain architecture will be integrated with brain transcriptome atlases and candidate antigens for autoreactive autoantibodies and T lymphocytes identified and validated. The evidence will add to current knowledge on NPSLE pathophysiology, provide new multimodal diagnostic tools for better patient care and a platform for innovative, personalized treatments.

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