Understanding how immune cells contribute to rheumatoid arthritis

Identifying a novel pathway that regulates RA immunometabolism

NIH-funded research University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-10886071

This research explores a new way that certain immune cells contribute to rheumatoid arthritis, hoping to find better treatments.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10886071 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Rheumatoid arthritis causes painful joint inflammation, partly due to specific immune cells called macrophages. In patients who don't respond well to current treatments, these cells become more inflammatory and change how they use energy. We are looking for a new biological pathway that causes these cells to become harmful. By understanding this process, we aim to discover new ways to stop the inflammation and joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Patients living with rheumatoid arthritis, especially those who do not respond well to current therapies, could potentially benefit from future treatments developed from this research.

Not a fit: Patients without rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune conditions would not directly benefit from this specific line of research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new medications that target the specific cellular processes causing inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.

How similar studies have performed: This research proposes a novel pathway involving a specific cytokine and SDC1, representing a new and untested approach to understanding rheumatoid arthritis.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, UNITED STATES

Researchers

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 below.
Conditions Autoimmune Diseases
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.