Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( 🔒 ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Need Help

The roles of P2RY8 in B cell tolerance and trafficking

Award Number: K08AR086998
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS & MUSCULOSKELETAL & SKIN DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/01/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2031

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

The roles of P2RY8 in B cell tolerance and trafficking - Project Summary/Abstract . Dr. Taylor LaFlam is a pediatric rheumatologist and early career basic science researcher. The overarching goal of this proposal is to advance understanding of B cell tolerance and trafficking while providing the scientific and career development needed to enable Dr. LaFlam to become an independently funded laboratory investigator. The clinical impetus for this research is that systemic lupus erythematosus causes significant morbidity and remains difficult to treat. B cells are clear contributors to its pathogenesis, but the mechanisms by which B cell tolerance is disrupted in lupus remain poorly defined. Dr. LaFlam’s primary mentor, Dr. Jason Cyster, in collaboration with the Vinuesa group, previously found an association between lupus and P2RY8, a G-protein-coupled receptor. The Cyster lab has identified the ligand of P2RY8 and elucidated its role in regulating migration and proliferation in germinal center B cells. Prior work has also suggested a role for P2RY8 in B cell negative selection and plasma cell generation. Under the mentorship of Dr. Cyster and Dr. Chun Jimmie Ye, a genomicist and immunologist, Dr. LaFlam has taken a functional genomics approach to P2RY8. He has advanced understanding of the molecular function of P2RY8 by near comprehensive profiling of missense variants, delineating their effect on expression and function, while also coordinating collaborating work that determined the structure of the protein. He has shepherded the creation of a new human P2RY8-expressing mouse model. Building on his prior work, Dr. LaFlam will interrogate the hypothesis that P2RY8 promotes peripheral B cell tolerance and restrains plasma cell generation and bone marrow homing. The specific aims of the proposed research are: (1) to define the role of P2RY8 in transitional B cell negative selection, (2) to delineate the role of P2RY8 in plasma cell generation and trafficking, and (3) to decipher the initiation of the signal from P2RY8 that restrains proliferation. Through this grant, Dr. LaFlam will receive training in key scientific methodologies as well as professional development that will equip him to fund and lead a successful immunology research lab. Mentorship is a critical component of this training, and in addition to Dr. Cyster as primary mentor and Dr. Ye as co-mentor, he will be advised by Dr. Julie Zikherman, a rheumatologist-scientist who studies B cell responses, and Dr. Michael Waterfield, a pediatric rheumatologist-scientist who studies mechanisms of immune tolerance. Together, the research accomplished and the skills gained through this award will enable Dr. LaFlam to become an independent, NIH-funded investigator whose work on B cell tolerance and lupus pathogenesis opens avenues to improved treatments for autoimmunity.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $180,144 )
2026	2026	REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO, THE	1855 FOLSOM ST STE 425	SAN FRANCISCO	CA	94103	SAN FRANCISCO	USA	Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research	000	1	5/29/2026	NEW	$180,144
														Subtotal = $180,144

Grand Total All Awards = $180,144

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

The roles of P2RY8 in B cell tolerance and trafficking

Award Number: K08AR086998

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS & MUSCULOSKELETAL & SKIN DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/01/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2031

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer