Inflammation, destruction, pain and neuroinflammation in juvenile arthritis, with a focus on the alarmin HMGB1

Major goals when treating arthritis are to decrease inflammatory activity, pain and joint destruction. Validated biomarkers for prognostic/diagnostic use are lacking. We have previously demonstrated a patogenic role for HMGB1 in arthritis. We have a biobank, JABBA, with samples from children with juvenile arthritis (JIA) including almost 700 children.

The biobank is coupled to a quality register with 95% coverage.

Our aim is to reveal mechanisms in arthritic inflammation, pain hypersensitivity and joint destruction, develop new therapy and better tools for disease monitoring. We also aim to study whether JIA is associated with neuroinflammation which can lead to cognitive dysfunction. We have a specific focus on HMGB1.

We will:Perform proteomics studies on JIA samples to  define molecular phenotypes and reveal their link to inflammatory activity, pain and destruction.

Define how biomarker measurements can be used for disease monitoring.By molecular, cellular and gene expression studies delineate how HMGB1 contributes to arthritisInvestigate arthritis-associated neuroinflammation using JABBA, proteomics and exp models.The project utilizes the unique possibility with JABBA/register to perform JIA biomarker studies.

Together with our expertise in HMGB1 biology and in exp arthritis we will reveal the role of HMGB1 in arthritic inflammation, pain and joint destruction. Finally, we will further HMGB1-based therapy towards the clinics.