Understanding how silica exposure can lead to severe inflammatory arthritis
Official title: A novel model of severe inflammatory arthritis induced by pulmonary silica exposure
Funded at Scripps Research Institute, the · NIH-10989496 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how being around silica dust at work might lead to serious joint inflammation and autoimmune diseases, especially for people in mining jobs, by using a mouse model to see how the body reacts to this exposure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Scripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $276,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21ES035980-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10989496 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of occupational silica exposure who are experiencing symptoms of inflammatory arthritis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a history of silica exposure or those who do not have inflammatory arthritis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between occupational silica exposure and the development of severe inflammatory arthritis, particularly focusing on how this exposure can trigger systemic autoimmune diseases. By using a specific mouse model, the study aims to replicate the effects of silica exposure and observe the resulting immune responses, including the production of autoantibodies and inflammation in joints. The findings could provide insights into the mechanisms behind arthritis development in individuals exposed to silica, especially those in mining occupations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and potentially new treatments for patients suffering from arthritis linked to silica exposure.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been successful studies on silica exposure and systemic autoimmune diseases, this specific approach to studying inflammatory arthritis is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Scripps Research Institute, the
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pollard, Kenneth Michael — Scripps Research Institute, the
- Study coordinator: Pollard, Kenneth Michael
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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.