The purpose of this research study is to determine how well and safe deucravacitinib, an investigational/non-approved United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) medication, is in treating Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE, lupus).

Participation in the study will involve being assigned deucravacitinib or a placebo (a drug that looks likes the study medication but does not contain any medication) and completing a series of in person clinic visits much like those completed as part of standard of care. Blood and urine samples will be collected for both routine health and safety tests as well as research/experimental testing.

The study will require 16 visits over a period of 14 months. There is an optional extension to the study possible, should you wish to continue and the study doctor feels that you remain a good candidate for participation. Study medication is provided and compensation is available for participation.

The purpose of this study is to determine if the investigational (not FDA approved) drug VIB4920 can be an effective treatment for patients with active Lupus Nephritis (LN).

This study will compare treatment with MMF (mycophenolate mofetil), Prednisone, plus the study medication VIB4920 to treatment with MMF and Prednisone alone.

Participants will have 16 scheduled visits that will involve routine monitoring of disease activity, up to two kidney biopsies, and blood and urine specimen collections. Participation in this study will last approximately 1 year and 2 months. Compensation is available for participation.

This study is to explore the relationship between lupus and hypertension (high blood pressure). Female volunteers between the ages of 18-65 are needed who meet 1 of 4 possible participation types: 1. Participants with diagnosis of lupus and hypertension, 2.Participants with lupus without hypertension, 3.Participants without lupus but have hypertension, or 4. Participants that have no lupus diagnosis or hypertension.

Study participation includes a 1 time visit to the Research Nexus and involves a review of currently available medical records and a brief participant questionnaire specific to demographics and behaviors. The study visit includes a series of 3 blood pressure readings and a blood collection of approximately 2 tablespoons of blood. Compensation is available.

This observational, non-medication study's purpose is to help learn more about the immune system's inflammation process involved in lupus. The study will be enrolling both lupus and non-lupus (healthy control) females aged 18 and older who identify as Black/African American and Non-Hispanic or White and Non-Hispanic for this comparison study. Participation involves a one-time blood collection.

There are no direct benefits in participating, but it is hoped information learned may help us to develop a better understanding of lupus. Compensation is available for participation.

The goal of this study is to determine the differences in severity and disparities of lupus in Black lupus patients, focusing on the highest risk group, Black females. We are interested in enrolling Black females with lupus as well as smaller numbers of White females with lupus, White females as Healthy Controls and Black males with lupus.

Study participation involves the collection of 4 tablespoons of blood. Patients with lupus will have their study participation during a standard of care (SOC) visit with their rheumatologist as part having routine blood drawn for their lupus care. After the initial study visit, patients with lupus may have an additional 2-3 visits. Controls will have a single study visit at the MUSC Nexus clinical research center.

This is not a clinical trial and does not involve study medications. Compensation is available for participation.