Deciphering how complement signals shape macrophages in autoimmune arthritis
Official title: Deciphering Complement-Dependent Macrophage Phenotypes in Human Autoimmune Arthritis
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11392260 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study with RA patients aims to learn how different immune cells in joints interact with complement signals to find new ways to tailor treatments.
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 | August 15, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $445,299 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR085156-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11392260 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with rheumatoid arthritis who have ongoing disease activity despite standard therapies and are candidates for research participation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not experiencing active RA symptoms or those unable to participate due to specific medical or logistical reasons.
What this research studies
Researchers will study synovial tissue from people with rheumatoid arthritis to understand how macrophages respond to complement factors like C5a and C3a. They focus on a specific macrophage subtype called MERTK+HBEGF+ and how it drives inflammation and tissue damage. By testing how blocking certain complement pathways changes inflammatory programs, the study hopes to identify targets for personalized therapies that could restore healthy joint function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Finds potential targets for more effective, personalized RA treatments that better control disease activity with fewer side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests that modulating complement pathways can alter macrophage behavior and inflammatory signaling in RA, supporting this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Fan — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Fan
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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.