Translational Rheumatology Research Lab
Decoding Juvenile Arthritis to Advance Pediatric Care
The Translational Rheumatology Laboratory at Nemours Children’s in Delaware Valley transforms care for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), the most common type of childhood arthritis.
We’re studying joint cells, called fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). FLS cells line the joint and help to lubricate and maintain joint tissue. In cases of JIA, FLS cells grow too fast, invade cartilage and bone, and release chemicals that damage joint tissue.
Our lab is uncovering new insights that could lead to new treatments. We’re identifying signals, or biomarkers, of disease severity, understanding the role of FLS cells in disease progression, and exploring how arthritis medication impacts FLS cells.
Our approach goes beyond current assumptions about joint inflammation and cartilage damage in pediatric arthritis. We’re looking at individual cells and details that may ultimately lead to customized therapies and better quality of life for children everywhere.
Principal Investigator
AnneMarie Brescia, MD, FAAP, FACR
Chief, Division of Pediatric Rheumatology
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Senior Research Scientist
Research Areas of Focus
Improving JIA Outlook Predictions
For some children, JIA resolves quickly. For others, it can be severe and last for years. By uncovering the development of this disease, we hope to predict severity and identify kids with a high-risk for long-term, destructive arthritis. This means they can start advanced therapies before irreversible joint damage occurs.
Decoding Disease Drivers
To help further treatments, we’re exploring how fibroblast-like synoviocytes change in severe cases and drive disease progression. We look for cellular pathways that cause destructive FLS activity, so we can use more targeted medications to stop arthritis progression before it starts.
Informing Medication Advancements
Children respond to current medications differently. We’re exploring how certain medications impact FLS cell communication and behavior. We hope to uncover why response varies so we can develop better treatment options for all children with this disease.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR RESEARCH
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Recent Research Highlights
Prognostic Biomarkers
We are exploring signaling pathways that contribute to disease progression by examining proteins that directly contribute to inflammation which ultimately leads to severe disease.
Role of FLS in the Pathogenesis of JIA
We have identified several unique features of FLS, including their chondrocyte, fibroblast and smooth muscle cell-like features, which may contribute to disability in JIA.
Effects of Arthritis Medications on FLS
We have discovered that arthritis medication alters the chondrocyte-like phenotype of JIA FLS found in the more severe forms of JIA. We have found that cells from different kinds of juvenile idiopathic arthritis respond differently to varying therapies.
Research in Context
Our labs contribute to research that informs pediatric care, working in alignment with research centers and focused areas of scientific study at Nemours.
Rheumatology
CLINICAL CARE
Pediatric specialists at Nemours diagnose and treat joint, muscle, and bone diseases that can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and deformity.
Interventional Radiology
CLINICAL CARE
Minimally invasive, image-guided procedures performed by pediatric specialists at Nemours Children’s hospitals and select specialty locations across our regions.