Aging T cell mitochondria driving inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis
Mitochondrial Malfunction in T Cell Aging and Tissue Inflammation
This work looks at whether leaky mitochondria in aging T cells trigger inflammation in people with rheumatoid arthritis and could point to ways to reduce joint damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11284076 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study immune cells taken from people with rheumatoid arthritis and older adults to see how damaged mitochondria let out a bacterial-like signal called f-Met that activates surrounding immune and tissue cells. They will examine how the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opens in CD4+ T cells and leads to inflammatory changes. Lab experiments on cells and tissues will test whether blocking pore opening or the f-Met signal lowers inflammation. The goal is to connect what happens inside aging T cells to the tissue inflammation that causes joint damage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with rheumatoid arthritis—especially older adults—or older healthy volunteers willing to give blood or tissue samples for research.
Not a fit: People without immune-driven inflammatory conditions or those seeking immediate symptom relief from active, severe disease may not receive direct benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to treatments that prevent aged T cells from driving harmful inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis and other age-related inflammatory conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research links mitochondrial dysfunction to immune aging and inflammation, but the specific role of f-Met leakage as a trigger is a newer finding now being explored.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weyand, Cornelia M. — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Weyand, Cornelia M.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.