Investigating how specific immune cells affect interactions between T cells and B cells in arthritis.
Official title: T peripheral regulatory cells as modulators of T cell-B cell interactions in arthritis
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11001150 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells work together in the joints of kids with juvenile idiopathic arthritis to help produce antibodies, with the hope of finding new ways to manage excessive antibody production that can worsen the condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $499,851 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR083424-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11001150 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children and adults diagnosed with chronic inflammatory arthritis, particularly those with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and positive anti-nuclear antibodies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-inflammatory arthritis or those without autoimmune components may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the interactions between T peripheral helper cells and B cells, which are crucial for antibody production in arthritis. It aims to explore how these interactions occur in inflamed tissues rather than just in lymphoid organs. By analyzing joint fluid from patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, the study seeks to identify a new subset of T cells that may help regulate these interactions. The goal is to uncover the mechanisms that lead to excessive antibody production in chronic inflammatory arthritis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for managing arthritis by targeting specific immune cell interactions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune cell interactions in autoimmune diseases, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Henderson, Lauren a — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Henderson, Lauren a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Gut microbes and methotrexate: boosting RA treatment through microbiome targets
Researchers are studying how gut bacteria affect how well methotrexate works for people with rheumatoid arthritis, aiming to make MTX effective for more patients.
-
Understanding how immune checkpoint drugs can trigger inflammatory arthritis in cancer patients
This research looks at why some cancer patients develop inflammatory arthritis after PD-1 inhibitor therapy and what could be done to prevent it.
-
Hybrid biomaterial system to boost immunotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis
A new, patient-facing immunotherapy approach uses specialized particles to retrain the immune system to calm RA in adults.
-
Dose guide for physical activity to improve arthritis symptoms
A study from the University of South Carolina will look at how different amounts of weekly physical activity affect arthritis symptoms and quality of life in adults with arthritis.
-
Collaborating Center for Arthritis Care Tools and a Coordinating Center for an Arthritis Management & Wellbeing Network
A coordinated NIH program aims to improve how primary care providers refer people with arthritis to evidence-based, self-management programs and to boost participation, especially among groups facing disparities.
-
Arthritis prevention program to help adults with OA in mountain west communities
A program to help adults with osteoarthritis in the Mountain West connect with physical activity counseling and community activities to reduce activity limitations.
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.