Grant: Project Grant - PA: Research in First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis Health

Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for the development of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), a common and debilitating autoimmune arthritis. Although global smoking rates have reduced in the last several decades, smoking is still common in First Nations Peoples living in Canada. Notably, First Nations also have higher rates of RA compared to non-First Nations. This is primarily due to genetic risk, but interactions between gene and environment has been shown to heighten this risk. It is not known precisely how cigarette smoking leads to RA. In this proposal, our diverse research team will investigate the way cigarette smoking interacts with the immune system, leading to RA. Specifically, we think that neutrophils, a common immune cell, are particularily prone to inflammation and this leads to abnormal immune responses in people who are at high risk for RA development. We will investigate these interactions in neutrophils which are obtained from humans. We will also use a mouse model called collagen-induced arthritis, which aims to mimic what we observe in human RA, to investigate the effect of smoking on arthritis. Finally, we want to begin to strategize ways to help First Nations who are relatives of RA patients stop smoking. This may or may not lower their risk of developing RA, but even if it does not, there are other health benefits when someone stops smoking. Overall, we hope to better understand why and how RA begins, and improve the overall health of First Nations living in Manitoba.