PD-1 blockers and antibody responses in autoimmune arthritis
Immune Checkpoint Inhibition and humoral immune response in systemic autoimmunity
This project looks at how cancer immunotherapy drugs that block PD-1 can trigger or change autoimmune arthritis and antibody responses in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11161527 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use humanized mouse models that carry human PD-1 and PD-L1 to see how clinically used anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 antibodies change antibody production and arthritis in a standard collagen-induced arthritis model. They will compare immune profiles and clinical data from patients who developed inflammatory arthritis after PD-1 therapy (IA-irAE) with people who have seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. The team hypothesizes that PD-1 blockade causes T cell–driven, antibody-independent autoimmune damage and that impaired PD-1 signaling contributes to both IA-irAE and seronegative RA. Findings from mice and patient samples will be integrated to identify shared mechanisms and potential targets for safer treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would include people who developed inflammatory arthritis after PD-1 or PD-L1 cancer therapy and patients with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis willing to provide clinical data or blood samples.
Not a fit: People without autoimmune disease or those with autoimmune conditions unrelated to PD-1 pathways may be unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could explain why PD-1 therapies cause arthritis and point to ways to prevent or better treat autoimmune arthritis triggered by immunotherapy.
How similar studies have performed: PD-1's role in cancer immunity is well studied, but applying humanized PD-1 mouse models to link PD-1 therapy with autoimmune arthritis and seronegative RA is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zeng, Hu — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Zeng, Hu
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.