Dr. Kalliolias uses novel technologies to characterize and understand the role of synovial fibroblasts, resident joint cells that become activated in rheumatoid arthritis, as potential targets for new treatments.
None of the existing therapies for RA targets these cells. Dr. Kalliolias’ studies have Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex disease in which the patient’s immune system attacks its own tissue causing swelling and inflammation in the joints and damage of tissues and other organs. Much of the rheumatoid arthritis research being conducted focuses on immune mechanisms involved. Many of these mechanisms are shared with other autoimmune diseases that attack different organs, such as lupus (kidneys), multiple sclerosis (brain) and Type I diabetes (pancreas). The causes of rheumatoid arthritis are still unknown, but we do know that autoimmune diseases have a start and halt progression, with periods of active disease followed by periods of remission. Thus, thanks to the rheumatoid arthritis research discoveries of Gale “Morrie” Granger, PhD, the human immune system is the primary focus of research.
The human immune response consists of three different phases:
Initiation phase – recognition of the foreign or self materials
Expansion phase – increase in the number of immune cells and antibodies
Invasion and Tissue Destructive phase – emigration of cells and antibodies into the blood stream and into the target organs to induce inflammation and tissue destruction
Current RA research grant recipients employ innovative approaches and modern technologies to identify, isolate and study the different phases of the immune response involved in rheumatoid arthritis. Scientists are looking at both the cellular and molecular level. We have hope that a new treatment for rheumatoid arthritis can be developed or better yet that a cure can be found.