Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a destructive, progressive disease that affects millions of adults, and its analogous disease in childhood, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, is the most common childhood rheumatic condition, affecting three hundred thousand children annually in the US. Dr. Rahimi's research interests focus on imaging of lymph nodes as a marker for arthritic flare in rheumatoid arthritis, lymphangiogenesis in arthritic flare in murine model of erosive arthritis. Despite optimal management, children continue to suffer from episodic bouts of arthritis or "flares" for unknown reasons. The objective of her current study "sGC beta1: A Potential Critical Regulator of the Lymphatic Pulse and Novel Target in Arthritic Flare" is to expand from animal studies that show lymphatic dysfunction as a key event in arthritic flare and to examine if molecular targets in lymphatic vasculature that maintain flow are valid drug targets to ameliorate flare and improve function and quality of life for patients. Overall, Dr. Rahimi will focus on evaluating the cause of arthritis flare, looking at the lymphatic vasculature as a possible contributor to arthritic flare.
