Lupus: Open Access is a global, peer reviewed, Open Access online journal that provides a central point for publication of basic, clinical, translational, and epidemiological studies of all aspects of lupus and related diseases. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE or Lupus) is a systemic autoimmune disease that affects many joints and organs in the body. In lupus, like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the patient’s immune system attacks their own healthy tissues. Lupus research funded by the Arthritis National Research Foundation is focused on understanding systemic lupus so we can find new treatments and a cure.

Initially, in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, the tissues being attacked are different from RA; however, in later stages, the diseases become very similar.

ANRF funded research on the pathology and causes of lupus are revealing new approaches towards developing therapies and a cure.
The Arthritis National Research Foundation has funded research on lupus for over 30 years, including renowned researchers like Betty Tsao, PhD, a leading geneticist at UCLA. Dr. Tsao is the first scientist to tie a specific human chromosome region to increased risk of developing Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. This is a major step for lupus research towards predicting susceptibility to lupus and understanding how to prevent the onset of symptoms.

Staying committed to funding autoimmune arthritis research, such as lupus research, is important to everyone at ANRF. The next big discovery, treatment, therapy or cure could be in the next research project. Read below about some of the exciting lupus research happening around the country.