Lupus Research Group

At the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), our Lupus Erythematosus research program, known as M.U.S.C.L.E., is dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of lupus. Our multidisciplinary team of experts is committed to clinical, translational, and basic research, alongside community outreach initiatives that enhance knowledge and awareness of this complex autoimmune disease.

Meet Our Team of Experts

Our faculty principal investigators are leaders in their respective fields, including clinical and translational scientists Drs. Gary Gilkeson, Diane Kamen, Jim Oates, Natasha Ruth, Melissa Cunningham, Jessica English, and Kathleen Maksimowicz-McKinnon, as well as basic research scientists Drs. Tammy Nowling and Betty Tsao. Together, they are driving innovative research aimed at unraveling the complexities of lupus.

Our Research Focus

The M.U.S.C.L.E. group conducts a wide range of studies, from investigator-initiated observational research to industry-sponsored clinical trials. These efforts are administered through the South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Institute (SCTR) and target critical areas such as:

• Biomarkers of Lupus and Lupus Nephritis: Understanding disease activity and progression.
• Environmental Factors: Exploring the impact of vitamin D and other factors on autoimmune diseases.
• Atherosclerosis and Bone Health: Investigating the effects of lupus on cardiovascular and skeletal systems.
• Oral Health: Assessing the relationship between oral health and lupus.
• Stress and Lupus: Examining the role of stress in the lives of lupus patients.

Innovative Clinical Trials

Our industry-sponsored trials are at the forefront of testing new therapies designed to be more targeted and have fewer side effects than current treatments. These trials offer hope for more effective and personalized care for lupus patients. A list of our currently enrolling Lupus Clinical Studies can be found on the MUSC Clinical Research website.

Pioneering Basic and Translational Research

In our labs, researchers focus on understanding the fundamental mechanisms of lupus, including:

• The role of reactive intermediates in disease pathogenesis and damage.
• The involvement of complement systems in lupus.
• Genetic factors that regulate inflammatory processes in lupus.

Get Involved

To learn more about the lupus research at MUSC or to join our mailing list, contact:

• Email:  lupusresearch@musc.edu
• Call: 1-866-859-6107 (toll-free) or 843-792-8997
• View enrolling lupus clinical trials at MUSC

Explore our faculty pages to learn more about each investigator's specific research interests and how you can contribute to the fight against lupus.

Lupus Support Group

South Carolina Lupus Support Group (Local Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America):

• Dates:  Meets the 4th Saturday of the month
• Location: Alternating meeting formats of in person and virtual
• Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (EST)
• Lead Facilitator: Hetlena Johnson-McCormick
• For more information or to sign up:  LFAsclupusgroup@gmail.com

Information, Podcasts, and Videos

Online Resources

• The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA): A national resource on lupus. Watch the Lupus Foundation of America’s video, What is Lupus?, for an explanation of lupus and how it affects people. 

• Research Accelerated by You (RAY): A national lupus research registry focused on capturing voices of people living with lupus, it is uniquely designed to reflect the realities, challenges, and priorities that matter most to people living with lupus. By sharing these lived experiences and preferences, the registry ensures that researchers and clinicians are guided by what truly matters and impacts daily life with lupus—so that future studies and care approaches address the needs that matter most to the lupus community.

• Valuable Tools and Resources About Clinical Trial Participation by The Lupus Foundation of America: Learn about what it means to participate in research and ways to participate that may be right for you. 

• The Lupus Initiative: an American College of Rheumatology education program dedicated to improving disease recognition and management of lupus in patient populations disproportionately affected based on race, ethnicity, and gender. They also feature CME activities for healthcare providers.

• SCResearch.org:  for up-to-date listings of all the research studies available through MUSC, searchable by area of interest or by disease name.

• Resource Tool Tutorial video, sponsored by Network of the National Library of Medicine – Region 2 (NNLM-2): In this session, learn about utilizing Medline Plus and ClinicalTrials.gov to find trusted health information. Explore key features and discover tips to navigate these resources.