Arthritis National Research Foundation

ANRF provides research funding to investigative scientists with new ideas to cure arthritis & related autoimmune diseases.

[Arthritis National Research Foundation @CureArthritis]

ANRF is bringing together leading experts on August 13 for The Bigger Picture: Translating CAR-T Evidence to Clinical Care, a free educational webinar designed specifically for rheumatologists and advanced practice providers.

Dr. Carrie Richardson of Northwestern University's Scleroderma Center will cover the current evidence, patient selection considerations, clinical trial referral, and what's on the horizon for autoimmune disease management.

📅 August 13
🔗 Register: https://t.co/DIMU4HTH1i

[Arthritis National Research Foundation @CureArthritis]

Tomorrow at 12 PM ET: ANRF's free HCP/APP webinar on CAR-T therapy & autoimmune disease. Dr. Carrie Richardson of Northwestern translates the evidence into clinical guidance. Can't make it live? All registrants receive the recording!
📅 Aug 13 | 12 PM ET | Free
🔗 https://t.co/DIMU4HTH1i

[Arthritis National Research Foundation @CureArthritis]

Meet Dr. Nicholas Borcherding, Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology and Immunology at Washington University School of Medicine.

With the support of ANRF through a Psoriatic Arthritis Research Grant, Dr. Borcherding is developing new ways to identify the T cells that mistakenly attack the joints in psoriatic arthritis.

Using advanced sequencing and computational technologies, his research aims to detect these harmful immune cells in blood samples and distinguish people with psoriatic arthritis from those with psoriasis who have not developed joint disease.

By identifying these immune signatures, Dr. Borcherding hopes to help develop a simple blood test for earlier diagnosis and prevent permanent joint damage before it occurs.

Learn more: https://t.co/RQFaFhEeU6

[Arthritis National Research Foundation @CureArthritis]

This Thursday, ANRF is hosting a free HCP/APP webinar with Dr. Carrie Richardson, Co-Director of the Northwestern Scleroderma Center, covering the current evidence, patient selection, trial referral, and what the pipeline looks like ahead.

📅 August 13 | 12:00 PM ET
🔗 https://t.co/DIMU4HTH1i

[Arthritis National Research Foundation @CureArthritis]

Meet Dr. Rebecca Blank, Assistant Professor of Medicine and rheumatologist at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

With the support of ANRF through an Arthritis and Related Autoimmune Disease Research Grant, Dr. Blank is investigating how short-chain fatty acids produced by the gut microbiome influence inflammation and treatment response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Her research explores how the gut microbiome shapes the immune system and whether these naturally occurring compounds can improve the effectiveness of RA therapies.

By uncovering the connection between gut health and immune function, Dr. Blank hopes to develop more personalized treatment strategies and improve outcomes for people living with rheumatoid arthritis.

Learn more: https://t.co/84JPyN0eEj

[Arthritis National Research Foundation @CureArthritis]

Meet Dr. Yuriy Baglaenko, Assistant Professor at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, whose research is advancing our understanding of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

With the support of ANRF through an Arthritis and Related Autoimmune Disease Research Grant, Dr. Baglaenko is using cutting-edge single-cell genomics and computational tools to identify the T cells that drive inflammation in JIA. His research explores how genetic changes shape these harmful immune cells with the goal of predicting treatment responses and developing more personalized therapies for children living with arthritis.

By uncovering the molecular mechanisms behind JIA, Dr. Baglaenko hopes to improve early diagnosis, guide more effective treatments, and help children achieve better long-term outcomes.

Learn more: https://t.co/TmAAf5iXzH

[Arthritis National Research Foundation @CureArthritis]

Meet Dr. Satomi Arimoto, a researcher at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation studying the immune system’s role in autoimmune disease.

With the support of ANRF through an Arthritis and Related Autoimmune Disease Research Grant, Dr. Arimoto is investigating how the immune checkpoint protein PD-1 helps regulate B cells and prevent the production of harmful autoantibodies in lupus and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Her research seeks to uncover why this protective system fails—and how restoring it could lead to more targeted therapies.

By revealing the mechanisms that drive autoantibody formation, Dr. Arimoto hopes to advance new treatments that prevent autoimmune disease before irreversible damage occurs.

Learn more: https://t.co/11X5qwHDLU

[Arthritis National Research Foundation @CureArthritis]

Meet Dr. Anna Costello: this year's @CureArthritis x @PeDRAResearch Rheum for Kids grantee, studying how ultrasound could help catch juvenile psoriatic arthritis earlier in kids.
This #JuvenileArthritisAwarenessMonth, watch her story 🔗 https://t.co/c6ZhNo2nHY

[Arthritis National Research Foundation @CureArthritis]

Meet Dr. Sokratis Apostolidis , Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and leader of a translational immunology laboratory focused on autoimmune disease and cancer immunotherapy.

With the support of ANRF through the Carl F. Ware Fellowship and an Arthritis and Related Autoimmune Disease Research Grant, Dr. Apostolidis is investigating how a unique population of immune cells, known as IL-7R+ CD8 T cells, may trigger rheumatologic immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in patients receiving cancer immunotherapy. His research combines cutting-edge immune profiling with clinical insights to better understand why these autoimmune complications develop.

By uncovering the mechanisms that drive these immune responses, Dr. Apostolidis hopes to help patients safely continue life-saving cancer treatments while advancing new approaches to prevent and treat autoimmune disease.

Learn more: https://t.co/cTHUssYhlq

[Arthritis National Research Foundation @CureArthritis]

Looking to invest in a cause you can trust?

For the 18th consecutive year, the Arthritis National Research Foundation has earned a 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator—their highest distinction for financial health, accountability, and transparency.

See how your support fuels the next generation of breakthrough discoveries in arthritis and autoimmune disease research.

Download the 2026 ANRF Impact Report to explore the science, the impact, and the lives being changed through early investment in research.

Read the report:
https://t.co/yEnCRP8tAg

[Arthritis National Research Foundation @CureArthritis]

A diagnosis was just the beginning.

When Eric was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) at 13, everyday activities became a challenge. Thanks to research-driven treatments, he went from struggling to keep up on the playground to becoming a competitive soccer striker with dreams of playing in college.

This Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Awareness Month, we celebrate stories like Eric's—and the research that makes them possible.

While there is still no cure for JIA, every investment in early-stage research brings us closer to better treatments and brighter futures for children living with arthritis.

#JIAAwarenessMonth #JuvenileIdiopathicArthritis #ChildhoodArthritis #ArthritisResearch

[Arthritis National Research Foundation @CureArthritis]

Catch this webinar replay! 🎥

CAR-T therapy changed cancer care. Now researchers are exploring what it could mean for people living with arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, and other autoimmune conditions — and the early findings are remarkable.

In this webinar, Dr. Irene Blanco and Dr. Carrie Richardson of Northwestern University break down the science, the clinical findings, and what's coming next, built for patients and caregivers.

▶️ Watch now:https://t.co/4zVuwZe20v

Many thanks to our sponsors at Bristol Myers Squibb for making this education possible.

[Arthritis National Research Foundation @CureArthritis]

The ANRF 2026 Impact Report is here — and it tells the story of what happens when we back exceptional researchers early, right when it matters most.

From the molecular discoveries of the 1990s to today's CRISPR-based organoid models and AI-driven cell analysis, the science doesn't stop.

Neither do we.

Read the report here:
https://t.co/PDmSdTOdkr

[Arthritis National Research Foundation @CureArthritis]

Special thanks to our partners @PeDRAResearch for partnering with us on the Rheum for Kids grant and to @JNJInnovMed for their generous support of our grant programs.

[Arthritis National Research Foundation @CureArthritis]

Introducing our 2026–2027 Scholar Cohort. 🧬
24 researchers. A record 131 applications. Our largest investment in arthritis science — ever.

None of this happens without our supporters — we're grateful for your partnership in making breakthroughs possible.

Meet the scientists: https://t.co/3MfmIiad2T

#CureArthritis

[Arthritis National Research Foundation @CureArthritis]

This is what Arthritis and Lupus Awareness Month is all about. 💙

Whether you joined us for a webinar, downloaded a fact sheet, shared a post, or squeezed in a weekend workout — every action you took this month helped someone living with arthritis or lupus feel a little more seen. And that matters more than you know.

We asked ANRF Scholar Dr. Nikhil Jiwrajka from the University of Pennsylvania to share a few words with the people who made this month possible. This one's for you.

There's still time to close out May with a gift that keeps this science moving forward 👉 https://t.co/JiFz4UuQ20

#curearthritis #arthritisawarenessmonth #lupusawarenessmonth #arthritisresearch

[Arthritis National Research Foundation @CureArthritis]

Take your weekend reset one step further!

Flow through progressive Pilates exercises with Denise to strengthen your body and release tension.

Session 4: Progressive Pilates
Watch Now: https://t.co/SdQr9Srcnp

[Arthritis National Research Foundation @CureArthritis]

Psoriatic arthritis affects an estimated 2.25 million Americans — and it's more than a skin condition.

PsA is a chronic autoimmune disease that damages joints, tendons, and ligaments, often alongside psoriasis. Symptoms like joint pain, swelling, fatigue, and nail changes can come and go — and they're not always easy to see from the outside.

This Arthritis and Lupus Awareness Month, we're sharing the information that helps people feel seen and supported. Learn more about PsA at the link below.

https://t.co/KFB87iJwrW

#curearthritis #arthritisawarenessmonth #psoriaticarthritis #autoimmunedisease

[Arthritis National Research Foundation @CureArthritis]

Today's the day!

The Bigger Picture is happening TODAY at 3 PM ET — and there's still time to grab your spot. We'll be talking about CAR-T therapy and what it could mean for people living with arthritis, lupus, and other autoimmune conditions.

TODAY | 12:00 PM ET | Free

Register now— all registrants get the recording: https://t.co/LnSe7bkc8q

#ArthritisAwarenessMonth #LupusAwarenessMonth #AutoimmuneDisease #CART

[Arthritis National Research Foundation @CureArthritis]

In our latest episode of In the Rheum, Dr. Timothy Niewold — rheumatologist, physician-scientist, and Buddhist priest — joins host Emily Stormoen to talk about the very real science behind stress and inflammation, and what mindfulness might actually do for people living with chronic disease.

This one is for anyone who has ever felt like stress makes everything worse, wants to know the science behind it, and what to do about it.

Listen now:
https://t.co/8XuMNw9OVH

#InTheRheum #Mindfulness #Meditation #AutoimmuneDisease #CureArthritis