Th17 cell plasticity and its role in rheumatoid arthritis
Official title: Th17 plasticity in rheumatoid arthritis
Funded at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · NIH-11376756 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant looks at how a type of immune cell called Th17 might change form and keep rheumatoid arthritis inflammation, even when we try to block a key molecule they make.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | June 10, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $740,319 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI193792-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11376756 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis or individuals at risk may benefit from future therapies arising from this work.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to Th17 biology or RA likely would not benefit.
What this research studies
In people with rheumatoid arthritis, Th17 cells produce IL-17A and contribute to joint inflammation. The researchers will use a new mouse model to track how Th17 cells can convert into exTh17 cells that no longer make IL-17A but may still drive disease. They will study internal and external factors that drive this conversion and how exTh17 cells might worsen joint inflammation, including possible links to lung involvement in RA. This work could reveal new targets to treat RA patients whose disease persists despite current IL-17A–focused therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A deeper understanding of Th17 cell changes could lead to new ways to prevent or reduce persistent joint inflammation in RA.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown Th17 plasticity in other diseases, but its role in autoimmune arthritis is not well understood, making this approach relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bottini, Nunzio — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Bottini, Nunzio
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.
-
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.
-
Role of Stabilin receptors in rheumatoid arthritis
A short study to understand how certain scavenger receptors may influence the development and progression of rheumatoid arthritis in adults.
-
IgG glycosylation and endothelial FcγRIIB: understanding RA-related heart and blood vessel disease
This project looks at how rheumatoid arthritis affects blood vessels and clotting, with the goal of uncovering new ways to prevent heart and stroke risk for people with RA.
-
Risk factors and biomarkers for progression of subclinical RA-related lung disease
This study follows people with rheumatoid arthritis to understand who develops lung disease and what biomarkers predict it.
-
Pregnancy changes in rheumatoid arthritis and new treatment ideas
This research seeks to understand why some women’s rheumatoid arthritis improves during pregnancy and how to predict and mimic that effect to make treatments safer and more effective for pregnant patients.
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.