Investigating the role of viruses and gut bacteria in arthritis flares in children
Official title: Longitudinal characterization of the role of the mucosal virome and microbiome in juvenile idiopathic arthritis flares
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11056288 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain viruses and bacteria in the gut might affect flare-ups of juvenile idiopathic arthritis in kids, hoping to find clues that could help manage these painful episodes better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $375,100 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AR083581-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11056288 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, particularly those experiencing frequent disease flares.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of arthritis or those who do not have juvenile idiopathic arthritis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how the mucosal virome and microbiome may influence flares of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in children. By analyzing samples from young patients, the study aims to identify potential viral infections and gut bacteria that could trigger these painful episodes. The approach involves advanced genetic sequencing techniques to characterize the microbial communities present in affected children. This could lead to better management strategies for JIA flares.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies that reduce the frequency and severity of arthritis flares in children with JIA.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited research specifically on JIA and viral infections, studies in adult rheumatoid arthritis have shown promising links between viral infections and disease flares, suggesting potential relevance for this research.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Correll, Colleen Kelly Marie — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Correll, Colleen Kelly Marie
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Deciphering What Drives Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis in African American Children
This project looks at why African American children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis have more joint damage, using clinical data and genetic information to find factors that may explain the differences.
-
Understanding how T cells make IFN-γ and IL-17 in kids with juvenile arthritis
A doctor-scientist at Vanderbilt is studying why certain immune cells in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis produce inflammatory signals, with the goal of improving diagnosis and treatment.
-
Lung disease linked to systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children
This project looks at how ongoing immune activation and some arthritis medicines may cause lung inflammation and breathing problems in children with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA).
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Linking JIA Registry with Claims Data to Improve Understanding of Juvenile Arthritis
A study will connect the CARRA JIA patient registry with a large national claims database to see how well registry data match real-world care and outcomes for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
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Understanding lung disease in children with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis
This study is looking at how a serious lung problem in some kids with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis happens, and it aims to find new ways to help treat or prevent this issue by understanding how a certain part of their immune system works.
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Understanding how immune cells produce inflammatory signals in children with arthritis
This study is looking at how certain immune cells in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis produce substances that cause inflammation, and it hopes to find genetic clues that could help improve how we diagnose and treat this condition.
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.