Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus; SLE), Systemic Sclerosis (scleroderma; SSc) and Systemic Vasculitis (SV) are relatively rare rheumatic diseases that disproportionately impact the African American community, and particularly African American women. The causes of lupus, scleroderma and vasculitis are unknown, but thought to include both genetic and environmental factors. We are enrolling lupus, scleroderma, and vasculitis patients, and healthy control subjects. This is not a drug study. The purpose of this study is to better understand the factors that predispose people to develop lupus, scleroderma, and vasculitis. Information about medical, social and family history, medications, physical exam findings, and laboratory tests will be collected for analysis. This study will involve approximately 1360 volunteers.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) obtained from umbilical cords for the treatment of adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The goal of this study is to determine if patients receiving an MSC infusion plus standard of care respond better than patients receiving a placebo infusion plus standard of care.

The purpose of this study is to create and maintain a registry, which is a database (a searchable collection of information) about children, adolescents and young adults with pediatric onset of rheumatic diseases. This data may help in the evaluation of the safety and benefit of medications that are prescribed to patients who have rheumatic diseases.

This is a study looking at the effects of Belimumab, a medication approved by the FDA to treat lupus, in people who have been recently diagnosed with lupus. It proposes that the early use of Belimumab may prevent long-term tissue damage from the disease. The study will last 2 years with clinic visits every 4 weeks.

The goal of this study is to understand how positive and negative social experiences affect epigenetic marks and gene function, and thereby influence lupus in African American women. This study requires one study visit to answer a few questionnaires and donate a blood sample. We are looking for volunteers with and without lupus to participate. Compensation is available.

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.

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.

This is an observational non-medication study. The purpose of this study is to understand the immune system in people who are at risk for developing systemic lupus erythematosus ("lupus" or "SLE"). The investigators hope to develop better ways to predict who will get lupus and possibly come up with ideas for new treatments that can prevent or treat the disease.

Participants will be asked to complete 4 annual study visits and monthly telephone contacts with the study team over the course of 3 years. Visits will include a physical exam, collection of blood and urine, and the completion of some surveys/questionnaires about your health and wellbeing. The monthly phone calls will be a brief contact to check on any changes in your health and should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete.

Compensation is available for participation.