Boosting INPP5E to calm joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis
INPP5E Signaling and Treatment in Rheumatoid Arthritis
This project tests whether increasing a protein called INPP5E can reduce inflammation and joint damage in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11141222 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will look at gene activity in joint tissue from people with rheumatoid arthritis and run experiments in mouse models to understand how INPP5E affects inflammatory immune cells called macrophages. They will delete or increase INPP5E in macrophages to see how that changes inflammation, bone damage, and signaling through pathways like PI3K/AKT and NF-κB. The team will study how INPP5E interacts with proteins such as Aurora kinase A to find steps that could be targeted by drugs. If promising, the work will guide the development of therapies aimed at restoring INPP5E function or mimicking its effects.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with rheumatoid arthritis, particularly those with active joint inflammation or an inadequate response to standard DMARDs or biologics, would be the most relevant candidates for future related trials.
Not a fit: People without rheumatoid arthritis or whose disease is driven by processes unrelated to macrophage INPP5E signaling are unlikely to benefit from INPP5E-targeted approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that reduce joint inflammation and protect bone in people with rheumatoid arthritis, especially for those who do not respond to current drugs.
How similar studies have performed: This is a relatively new approach: preliminary mouse data suggest benefit, but there are no established human treatments that specifically target INPP5E yet.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Shuying — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Yang, Shuying
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.