Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) occurs in about 30% of patients with psoriasis. Inflammation within the arthritic joint leads to joint destruction, limitation of function and poor quality of life. Immune cells called macrophages and neutrophils have the capacity to regulate the inflammatory processes that affect progression of arthritis in the joint. Our study will identify these cell populations in joint fluid and blood samples obtained from patients with PsA, study their pro-inflammatory function and associate them with disease severity. This project will provide insights on the potential cellular mechanisms that facilitate inflammation and joint damage in PsA patients, pointing to future novel therapeutic targets.