Dr. McCune's research includes the following: 1) The "MiLES Project," a large epidemiologic study to determine the incidence and prevalence of systemic lupus in southeastern Michigan within two defined geographic areas: Wayne and Washtenaw counties. 2) Cardiovascular studies in women with systemic lupus. This is a cross-sectional and longitudinal study of cardiovascular risk factors and the evolution of surrogate markers of cardiovascular disease in women with systemic lupus using both functional and anatomical measures of vascular injury. In collaboration with Mariana Kaplan, MD, Dr. McCune's group is performing sophisticated studies of the interplay between lupus activity, cardiovascular risk factors, and the life cycle of endothelial cells, which is perturbed in active lupus in ways that are likely to lead to accelerated atherosclerosis. 3) Cardiovascular effects of DHEA in systemic lupus: This is a randomized crossover trial assessing the effects of DHEA on cardiovascular function and biomarkers of cardiovascular risk. 4) Lupus Clinical Trials Consortium: This is a multicenter consortium designed to provide infrastructure for performing lupus clinical trials and supports a clinical trials coordinator as well as ongoing clinical research. 5) Randomized clinical trials of rituximab in systemic lupus: This is a site for two multicenter trials of rituximab in systemic lupus, one for moderate to severe lupus, and one for nephritis. 6) Anti-BLyS antibodies in systemic lupus: This is a multicenter trial assessing the effects of monoclonal anti-BLyS antibody in patients with moderate to severe lupus. 7) Advanced magnetic resonance imaging in neuropsychiatric lupus: This is a longitudinal study to assess the utility of sophisticated imaging processes such as diffusion weighted tensor imaging in assessing cerebral damage in neuropsychiatric lupus and predicting long term outcome.