Complement system’s role in autoimmune arthritis
Official title: Complement in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Arthritis
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11361363 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research grant explores how a part of the immune system called complement drives inflammatory arthritis and what happens when it’s made locally in joint tissue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 10, 2004 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $530,345 |
| NIH project number | 2R01AR051749-20A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11361363 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with autoimmune arthritis who may benefit from therapies targeting complement pathways.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without autoimmune arthritis or those not affected by complement-driven inflammation are less likely to benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses mouse models of arthritis to understand how complement proteins produced by joint cells contribute to inflammation and bone damage. By comparing mice that lack a key locally produced protein in joint tissue to normal mice, researchers examine how local sources influence disease development. The goal is to map how complement signals interact with immune cells to worsen arthritis and to identify potential targets for therapy. Findings could highlight new approaches to reduce joint damage and improve outcomes for people with autoimmune arthritis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings may lead to new strategies to limit joint inflammation and structural damage in autoimmune arthritis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in animal models has shown local production of complement components can influence arthritis severity, supporting a translational path.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Holers, Vernon Michael — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Holers, Vernon Michael
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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.