Pathogenic T cells in axial spondyloarthritis and eye inflammation
Official title: Identification of Pathogenic T cells in Axial Spondyloarthritis
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11370581 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying eye-specific and shared immune mechanisms in axial spondyloarthritis to understand how T cells contribute to eye inflammation and related joint disease, with findings that could guide future treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | July 7, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $154,776 |
| NIH project number | 5K08AR079593-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11370581 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with axial spondyloarthritis who have or are at risk for ocular inflammation (anterior uveitis) and who consent to participate in immunology studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without active ocular involvement or who decline participation in immunology analyses may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on how immune cells in the eye interact with systemic disease in axial spondyloarthritis, using advanced techniques to compare eye and blood immune cells. The trainee is developing as an independent clinician-scientist in ocular rheumatology over a five-year mentored program. By applying single-cell RNA sequencing, the work aims to identify pathogenic T cell subsets that drive eye inflammation and see how these cells relate to disease in other organs. The results could illuminate targets to prevent or treat eye complications like anterior uveitis and improve overall disease understanding.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Advances could lead to new strategies to prevent or treat eye inflammation in axial spondyloarthritis and inform systemic disease mechanisms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research suggests distinct eye-related T cell populations can be identified; this study builds on that approach in human subjects.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Paley, Michael Alexander — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Paley, Michael Alexander
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding early triggers of axial spondyloarthritis in people at risk
This grant aims to understand the early immune changes that lead to axial spondyloarthritis in people who carry a genetic risk, with new peptide tools to distinguish harmful from protective T cells.
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Identifying harmful immune cells in axial spondyloarthritis
This study is looking at how certain immune cells affect eye inflammation in people with axial spondyloarthritis, which could help us understand how this condition impacts both the eyes and joints.
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Identifying harmful T cells in a type of arthritis that affects the spine and eyes
This study is looking at how certain immune cells, called CD8 T cells, behave in people with axial spondyloarthritis, especially when it causes eye inflammation, to help us understand the condition better and find new ways to treat it.
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Identifying predictors of flare in children with spondyloarthritis
This study is looking at how specific blood tests and MRI results can help predict flare-ups in kids with spondyloarthritis, so families can make better choices about their child's treatment and safely reduce the use of strong medications that might have side effects.
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Improving care for children with juvenile spondyloarthritis
This study is all about helping doctors who specialize in children's joint diseases, like juvenile spondyloarthritis, by training them better so they can do research that leads to improved care for kids with these conditions.
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Fecal microbiota transplantation for treating axial spondyloarthritis
This study is testing if a treatment using gut bacteria from healthy donors can help people with axial spondyloarthritis who aren't feeling better with their current medications.
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.