How ELMO1 makes neutrophils drive joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis
Understanding A Molecular Cascade That Drives Neutrophil Mediated Pathology In Arthritis
This project looks at how a protein called ELMO1 causes neutrophils to fuel inflammation and joint damage in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11266110 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are mapping a chain of molecular events by which ELMO1 controls neutrophil movement and activation in inflamed joints. They use mice that lack ELMO1 and laboratory tests of neutrophil behavior to see how loss of ELMO1 changes disease severity and neutrophil responses to chemokines. The team will compare those findings to signals found in human joint and blood samples when available to check relevance to patients. The work aims to pinpoint steps in the cascade that could be blocked to reduce neutrophil-driven inflammation and bone erosion.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with rheumatoid arthritis, especially those with active joint inflammation, could potentially contribute by providing blood or synovial fluid samples for related studies.
Not a fit: People with non-inflammatory arthritis (for example osteoarthritis) or RA patients whose symptoms are not driven by neutrophil activity may not see direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal a new target to reduce neutrophil-driven inflammation and prevent joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis.
How similar studies have performed: Neutrophils are known to contribute to RA but clinical strategies to target them have been mixed, and targeting ELMO1 is a newer, primarily preclinical approach.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Arandjelovic, Sanja — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Arandjelovic, Sanja
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.