Understanding how pregnancy affects rheumatoid arthritis
Official title: The pregnancy transcriptome in rheumatoid arthritis
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10658607 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how pregnancy can help improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, with the goal of finding new and safer treatments for people with this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $562,130 |
| NIH project number | 7R01AR073111-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10658607 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults with rheumatoid arthritis, particularly those who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are not pregnant or who do not plan to become pregnant may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of pregnancy on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a condition that affects many adults. It aims to uncover the biological mechanisms that lead to improvement in RA symptoms during pregnancy, which occurs in a significant number of patients. By analyzing gene expression changes in women with RA and healthy women before, during, and after pregnancy, the researchers hope to identify potential therapeutic targets that could mimic these beneficial effects outside of pregnancy. This could lead to new treatments for RA that are safer and more effective.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to novel therapies that alleviate rheumatoid arthritis symptoms for both women and men.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that pregnancy can improve rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, but this study aims to explore the underlying mechanisms in greater detail, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jawaheer, Damini — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Jawaheer, Damini
Related research
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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.