# Regulation and function of CCR2 on T cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis

> **NIH NIH F31** · HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL · 2024 · $36,856

## Abstract

Abstract
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the
synovium and infiltration of mononuclear cells into the joint. Once in the joint the mononuclear cells,
predominantly T cells and macrophages, contribute significantly to disease pathology, yet the mechanism by
which these cells enter the joint is not clearly established. To answer this question, we decided to investigate
the expression of chemokine receptors on infiltrating T cells. Chemokine receptors are transmembrane protein
receptors that facilitate immune cell migration towards gradients of their respective cytokines. Previous work in
the lab found a large population of T cells in the inflamed synovium express the chemokine receptor CCR2. In
addition, work from other groups have consistently shown an elevated expression of CCR2 in RA patient
blood, however, there have not been investigations into T cell specific loss of CCR2 in RA. Additionally,
chemokine receptors are often used as markers to identify functional subsets of helper T cells. Considering the
robust population of T cells expressing CCR2 in the inflamed synovium, we hypothesized that CCR2 may
facilitate migration or positioning within the inflamed synovium and may demarcate a functional T cell
population. Furthermore, very little is known about the regulation of CCR2 expression on T cells and better
understanding of its regulation could allow for modulation of the proposed migratory or functional programming.
Therefore, we are proposing a robust investigation into the regulation and function of CCR2 in T cells utilizing
cytometric, transcriptomic, functional, and murine systems to thoroughly characterize this population and better
understand its role in RA pathogenesis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10810661
- **Project number:** 5F31AR082658-02
- **Recipient organization:** HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL
- **Principal Investigator:** Sabrina Esmeralda Bracero
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $36,856
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-05-01 → 2026-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10810661

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10810661, Regulation and function of CCR2 on T cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis (5F31AR082658-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10810661. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*