NIH-funded research R01 grant

Setbp1’s role in how joint cells behave during inflammatory arthritis

Official title: Uncovering the role of Setbp1 in fibroblast-like synoviocytes during inflammatory arthritis

Funded at Emory University · NIH-11398188 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This project looks at how a protein called SETBP1 affects delicate joint cells (FLS) that drive inflammation in arthritis, with potential implications for better treatments.

More Arthritis research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionEmory University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Atlanta, United States)
Project startSeptember 6, 2017
Project endJuly 31, 2029
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$415,871
NIH project number5R01AR070736-08
Project IDNIH-11398188 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Patients with inflammatory arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis) could potentially benefit from future therapies derived from this work.

Less likely to help

This preclinical research may not directly benefit patients in the short term but could inform future treatments.

What this research studies

If you have inflammatory arthritis, the researchers aim to understand why joint-damaging cells stay troublemakers even after inflammation subsides. They will study SETBP1, a protein that helps turn genes on or off, to see how it shapes the “memory” of these cells in the joint. The work combines lab studies of cell behavior with analyses of epigenetic changes to identify what keeps FLS in their aggressive state. By uncovering these molecular pathways, the goal is to point toward new ways to calm the disease and protect joints.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Finding how SETBP1 drives harmful FLS behavior could lead to new therapies that prevent joint damage in inflammatory arthritis.

How similar studies have gone: Prior studies link epigenetic changes to FLS aggression, with this project exploring SETBP1 as a key regulator; success in similar avenues has informed potential targets in arthritis.

Where this research is happening

  • Emory University
    Atlanta, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Bhattaram, Pallavi — Emory University
  • Study coordinator: Bhattaram, Pallavi

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.