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With a new $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientist Jacquelyn Gorman, Ph.D., is launching a three-year study to explore how a gene variant may trigger lupus.
Gorman’s research focuses on IFIH1, a gene that normally helps the body detect viruses. However, a specific variant may cause the immune system to become overly sensitive, leading to chronic inflammation and autoimmune attacks on healthy tissue.
This knowledge could someday lead to new drugs that tame the “overdrive” process.
Lupus affects over 1.5 million Americans, primarily women, and can lead to severe complications like kidney failure. Current treatments manage symptoms but don’t address the root cause.
Using patient blood samples and a genetically engineered mouse model, Gorman aims to uncover biomarkers that predict disease onset and treatment response.
The Defense Department supports lupus research due to its impact on military readiness. A 2022 Stanford study found service members with lupus are 40% more likely to be medically discharged.
OMRF leaders hope this research will lead to earlier detection and more effective treatments.