# Immunoregulatory biomaterials for modulating arthritis flares

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2024 · $41,566

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Uncontrolled disease fluctuations in a subset of joints, referred to as flares, can be a common experience in
autoimmune arthropathies even in the context of overall good disease control with disease-modifying anti-
rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Standard-of-care non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and/or corticosteroids can
provide temporary symptomatic relief, but these are ineffective at preventing recurrence and flare-mediated joint
damage. An unmet need exists for durable flare control agents that potentially complement standard-of-care
DMARDs. The objective of the fellowship application is to develop and test a nanoparticle-based
immunomodulatory agent for enhancing local flare control while avoiding generalized immunosuppression. The
agent is delivered to the lymph nodes proximal to the inflamed joint where pre-existing antigen presenting cells,
widely recognized as key activators of autoreactive cells, are harnessed to promote flare protection. Aim 1 will
optimize the agent and measure local and systemic concentrations to identify the safe dose range for achieving
modulation of antigen presenting cells and durable flare control. Aim 2 will identify potential biomarkers for agent
responsiveness and assess flare control in combination with a standard-of-care DMARD. The results of this
project will assess feasibility of promoting immunomodulatory antigen presenting cells to improve flare
control in a well-established mouse model of autoimmune arthritis. If successful, in the longer term, the project
will pave the way for a new approach to treat flares and advance the NIAMS mission of developing new
treatments for unmet needs in arthritis. The training program will enrich the applicant's knowledge and skills in
immunoengineering, drug delivery and autoimmune disease. Gaining expertise and scientific competency in the
subject matter through the project will prepare the applicant for a career in rheumatic disease research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10901486
- **Project number:** 1F31AR083236-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Wade Truman Johnson
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $41,566
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-19 → 2025-08-18

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10901486

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10901486, Immunoregulatory biomaterials for modulating arthritis flares (1F31AR083236-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10901486. Licensed CC0.

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