How nerves and immune cells cause joint pain in rheumatoid arthritis
Official title: Elucidating the neuroimmune mechanisms underlying pain and inflammation in autoimmune arthritis
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11363978 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will map how sensory nerves and immune cells in joints interact in people with rheumatoid arthritis to point toward new ways to reduce pain and inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $742,426 |
| NIH project number | 4R00AR083482-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11363978 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with rheumatoid arthritis who have active joint inflammation and ongoing pain, and who can donate joint tissue or attend clinic visits, would be the most relevant candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without autoimmune arthritis or whose pain comes from non-inflammatory causes are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this work.
What this research studies
This project will map, at single-cell resolution, the receptor‑ligand interactions between sensory neurons and immune cells in healthy and inflamed joints. The team will identify which types of sensory neurons respond to immune signals and drive pain, using detailed molecular profiling and functional testing. Over five years the work combines high-resolution tissue analysis with experimental follow-ups to reveal neuroimmune pathways linked to arthritis pain and swelling.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets for non-opioid treatments that reduce joint pain and inflammatory flares in rheumatoid arthritis.
How similar studies have gone: Prior animal and some early human studies show nerve–immune interactions influence arthritis pain, but using single-cell mapping to link specific neurons to pain is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jain, Aakanksha — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Jain, Aakanksha
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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.