Understanding early triggers of axial spondyloarthritis in people at risk
Official title: Defining Early Events in the Pathogenesis of Axial Spondyloarthritis
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11448793 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $546,057 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AR086820-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11448793 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with axial spondyloarthritis or who carry HLA-B*27 and have risk factors for the condition.
✕Less likely to help
People without the genetic risk factors or disease features may not directly benefit from these mechanistic studies.
What this research studies
If you have axial spondyloarthritis or carry the HLA-B*27 gene, this project looks at how pathogenic CD8 T cells respond to gut bacterial signals and how this may progress to spine inflammation. Researchers will use novel synthetic peptides to tell apart harmful T cells from helpful ones and test this in people with risk factors. The study plans to identify when and where pathogenic T cells diverge from normal anti-bacterial responses, potentially pointing to new diagnostic markers or therapeutic targets. The work is grounded in human biology and focuses on mechanisms relevant to human disease progression. Outcomes could guide earlier intervention and more personalized treatment in the future.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to earlier diagnosis and targeted therapies for axial spondyloarthritis by revealing how harmful T cell responses develop.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests pathogenic CD8 T cells may drive disease in HLA-B*27+ individuals, supporting potential benefits from this approach.
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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Pathogenic T cells in axial spondyloarthritis and eye inflammation
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.
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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.