Research supported by the Accelerating Medicines Partnership (AMP) on Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (RA/SLE) provides new insights into tissue damage for these autoimmune conditions. Findings include the identification of novel molecular signatures related to immune system signaling in kidney cells that may reflect their active role in disease process; molecular targets, including specific white blood cells, for potential treatment in lupus nephritis; and specific types of fibroblasts and white blood cells that are involved in rheumatoid arthritis. These discoveries set the stage for uncovering potential drug target candidates that could advance to experimental treatments. Results of the studies were published June 18, 2019 in three papers in Nature Immunology.
A primary goal of the AMP RA/SLE program, which is led by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), is to study tissues where the disease is active in patients, whereas most previous work studied mouse models or only blood samples from humans. AMP researchers looked at all the cell types in either biopsy samples from kidneys of people with SLE or the synovial tissues of joints from people with RA. The program seeks to quickly find the most promising treatment targets so less time is lost chasing unsuccessful leads.
NIH has more information, including highlights from the papers
