NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre

Enabling translational research through partnership

MENUMENU
  • About
    • About the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre
    • NIHR Oxford BRC impact
    • Steering Committee
    • Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in research
    • Current Vacancies
    • Stay in Touch
    • Contact Us
  • Research

        • Research Overview
        • Clinical Research Facility
        • Health Economics
        • Ethics in the NIHR Oxford BRC
        • Medical Statistics
        • Infections in Oxfordshire Database (IORD)
        • 15 Research Themes

        • Cancer
        • Cardiovascular Medicine
        • Digital Health from Hospital to Home
        • Gene and Cell Therapy
        • Genomic Medicine
        • Imaging
        • Inflammation across Tissues
        • Life-saving Vaccines
        • Metabolic Experimental Medicine
        • Modernising Medical Microbiology and Big Infection Diagnostics
        • Musculoskeletal
        • Preventive Neurology
        • Respiratory Medicine
        • Surgical Innovation, Technology and Evaluation
        • Translational Data Science
  • Patient and Public Involvement
    • For patients and the public
    • For researchers
    • More information
  • Training Hub
    • Training Hub Overview
    • Clinical Academic Pathway
    • Internships
    • Pre-doctoral Research Fellowships
    • Senior Research Fellowships
    • Research Training Bursaries
    • Doctoral Awards
    • Post-Doctoral Awards
    • PARC Programme
    • Other funding
    • Leadership Training
    • Useful Links
    • Training and Education Resources
    • Upcoming Training Events & Courses
  • Industry
    • Collaborate with Oxford BRC
    • Who Do We Work With?
    • Events
    • Further Information and Additional Resources
    • Contacts for Industry
  • Videos
  • News
  • Events

News

You are here: Home > Inflammation across Tissues > New research identifies key driver of inflammation in spondyloarthritis

New research identifies key driver of inflammation in spondyloarthritis

6 June 2025 · Listed under Inflammation across Tissues

Researchers have identified a possible cause for the protein Interleukin-17 (IL-17) driving inflammatory arthritis, paving the way for the development of targeted therapies to treat the condition.

herniated disc 8941861 1280
Image by Tung Lam from Pixabay

IL-17 is a key inflammatory protein that drives joint inflammation in spondyloarthritis (SpA), a chronic immune-mediated condition affecting the spine and other joints. Until recently, the exact cellular source of IL-17 in inflamed joints remained unclear.

A new study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases and supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), reveals that CD4+ tissue-resident memory Th17 (TRM17) cells are the primary producers of IL-17 in the synovial tissue of SpA patients.

Unlike circulating CD4+ Th17 cells, these TRM17 cells remain within joint tissue, continuously producing IL-17 and sustaining local inflammation.

“This is a significant step forward in our understanding of SpA,” said Dr Liye Chen, Versus Arthritis Career Development Fellow at the University of Oxford and senior author of the study. “We’ve identified CD4+ TRM17 cells as the main source of IL-17 in SpA joints—a previously unrecognised role.”

The research team applied single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to analyse synovial tissue from patients with axial SpA and psoriatic arthritis. Their findings challenge previous assumptions by showing that CD4+ TRM17 cells—not gamma delta (γδ) T cells or innate lymphoid cells—are the dominant IL-17 producers in the inflamed joint environment.

Prof Holm Uhlig of the Oxford-J&J Cartography Collaboration and Oxford BRC Co-theme Lead for Inflammation Across Tissues, said: “We’re delighted to see the contribution of the Cartography Collaboration to this important discovery. This study shows the transformative power of single-cell and spatial transcriptomics in uncovering the cellular drivers of immune diseases like spondyloarthritis and guiding effective, precision therapies.

“With detailed maps of over 4.5 million cells from across inflammatory conditions, Cartography will continue to fuel new insights and innovative treatments like this.”

Dr Chen added: “Current IL-17-blocking therapies benefit about half of SpA patients but require ongoing treatment and rarely lead to lasting remission. By targeting the CD4+ TRM17 cells themselves—the ‘factories’ of IL-17—we may be able to achieve long-term control of inflammation without continuous medication.”

As well as the Oxford BRC, this study was funded by Versus Arthritis, and Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine through support for the Cartography Consortium.

← Study identifies key immune structures in the gut that may drive coeliac disease

Other news

News Categories

News by Month

See all news

Subscribe to the Oxford BRC Newsletter

Keep informed about the work of the Oxford BRC by subscribing to our Mailchimp e-newsletter. It is produced several times a year and delivers news and information about upcoming events straight to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Feedback

We’d love to hear your feedback. Please contact us at [email protected]

Oxford BRC on Social Media

  • Bluesky
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Threads
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Data Control and Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Our Partners
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre