Different macrophage types in rheumatoid arthritis joints
Macrophage Heterogeneity in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Researchers map different macrophage types in rheumatoid arthritis joints to find ways to block the harmful ones while protecting the helpful ones for people with RA.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11285397 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work looks at the different kinds of macrophages that live in and enter inflamed joints and compares them between healthy and arthritic tissue. The team uses advanced genomic tools such as ATAC-seq to see which genes and regulatory elements are active in each macrophage subtype and which transcription factors shape their responses. They combine these molecular maps with mouse models of arthritis and comparisons to patient tissue to link cell types to disease progression and relapse. The goal is to find molecular targets that allow changing harmful macrophages without removing those needed for joint repair.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people with rheumatoid arthritis who are willing to provide synovial tissue biopsies or blood samples, plus possible healthy volunteers for comparison.
Not a fit: Patients without rheumatoid arthritis or those seeking immediate symptom relief are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic and translational research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to therapies that selectively block inflammatory macrophages while preserving protective ones, reducing joint inflammation and damage.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have identified distinct synovial macrophage subsets and shown epigenomic approaches can reveal regulatory mechanisms, but translating these findings into selective macrophage-targeting therapies is still a novel and early-stage effort.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Winter, Deborah Rachelle — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Winter, Deborah Rachelle
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.