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  • About Arthritis
    Common Topics
    woman holding her wristWhat Is Arthritis?

    Arthritis is not one disease. Learn about the different types of arthritis, how they differ and why it’s important.

    microbesInflammation and the Immune System

    Body-wide inflammation is at the root of most chronic diseases — and you may have more control over it than you think.

    Patient talking with nurseNewly Diagnosed With Arthritis

    A new arthritis diagnosis can be overwhelming. These tips can help.

    • Understanding Arthritis
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    Managing Arthritis Care Costs

    Learn the basics about health care costs and financial tools available to you.

    About Biosimilars

    More of these biologic medications will soon be available. Learn what they are, whether you should consider them and what to ask your doctor.

    Webinar: Sleep Solutions for Pain

    Experts discuss solutions on how to quiet nighttime pain to get better sleep.

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    Woman with upset stomachMicrobiome, Gut Health & Arthritis

    Microbiome, microbes, microorganisms – these terms may be confusing, but the types of bacteria living in and on our bodies can impact arthritis. Learn what helps or harms the microbiome and the health of your gut and discover dietary changes that can make a difference. This episode was originally released on January 19, 2021.

    woman consoling anotherArthritis and Mental Health

    Learn about the connection between arthritis, depression and anxiety and how these conditions can make your arthritis worse.

    Woman ExercisingYour Exercise Solution (YES)

    Movement is the best medicine, even when your joints hurt. Your Exercise Solution (YES) is a resource to help you create a physical activity routine with modifications developed and approved by physical therapists.

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    JA Family Summit

    Learn about the National Juvenile Arthritis Conference, a place for families to connect, share and learn.

    JA Camps

    The Arthritis Foundation’s JA camp programs give kids with arthritis and related childhood rheumatic diseases the chance to make lasting memories.

    Get Your JA Power Pack

    Newly diagnosed with JA and wanting to learn more? Power Packs have the tools you need to find Yes! for you and your child.

    • About Juvenile Arthritis
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    Transforming Clinical Interactions

    The Live Yes! Arthritis community connects patients with others online and in-person for support and education, and encourages patients to play an active role in their health care.

    Partners 4 Patients with Arthritis

    The Arthritis Foundation recently launched an initiative to build stronger relationships and increase recognition of our most engaged practices. 

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    See how we're aiming to address the growing shortage of arthritis specialists, especially in under-served parts of the country.

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    OACS Forum Series

    The Osteoarthritis Clinical Studies Forum Series features OA thought leaders from across the globe discussing the future of how the disease can be treated to improve patient outcomes.

    man bandaging boy's kneeConquering Childhood Arthritis

    The Arthritis Foundation is mobilizing patients and their families to engage in studies comparing the effectiveness of treatments for juvenile arthritis and funding research for more options.

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    Capital hillAction Center

    Take action today - use the resources here to learn who your elected officials are, what opportunities we have to advocate from the comfort of your own home, federal and state legislation, and more!

    woman listening to podcastLive Yes! With Arthritis Podcast

    You may have arthritis, but it doesn't have you. The Arthritis Foundation’s one-of-a-kind podcast. Hosted by patients, for patients.

    Jingle Bell Run

    The original festive race for charity and signature Foundation holiday event! Wear your favorite holiday attire and together, we’ll jingle all the way to a cure! Register as an individual or bring a team of friends, family and co-workers to run, walk or stroll, and spread the good cheer. 

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Researchers on the Path to a Cure – Spotlight on Dr. Jordan Orange

Chances are you haven’t heard of COPA syndrome. That’s because it wasn’t identified as a form of arthritis until 2015. So, what is COPA syndrome? It is a rare, inherited autoimmune disease that is caused by mutation of the COPA gene. It usually appears in early childhood. Patients show symptoms of severe lung disease and arthritis.

Dr. Jordan Orange was one member of a large research team that first identified COPA syndrome in 2015. The team’s published work in Nature Genetics won the Arthritis Foundation’s 2015 Howley Award prize for significantly advancing the understanding of an arthritis-related disease.



Dr. Orange’s 3-year Arthritis Foundation-funded project “Targeting of Cellular Stress Points and Immune Priming to Relieve Symptoms Associated with COPA Syndrome” is working on the next steps to understand this disease. He hopes that what they learn will have broader applications to other forms of autoimmune arthritis.

The research team begins with what is already known about the genetics of the disease. The COPA gene codes for a protein called “coatomer subunit alpha” which is involved in transport of proteins made by the cell to locations where they are used. Mutations in the gene cause protein transport to be disrupted and stress to build within the cell. According to Dr. Orange, “In healthy cells, the body can sense stress in overworked or infected cells. Once stress is sensed, the cell usually tries to heal itself or begins the process of programmed cell death that allows for the development of newer healthy cells. But in forms of autoimmune arthritis like COPA syndrome, the excess stress continues to build and triggers an autoimmune response.”

The team wants to understand more about the cellular biology of COPA syndrome and find ways to interfere with the abnormal biology that triggers the autoimmune response. To do that, they are looking at how certain drugs (that are FDA-approved for other diseases) may change the pathways that lead to the buildup of cellular stress and return cell processes back to normal. They are using knowledge gained from treating cells in the lab to eventually developing a mouse model to better understand the biology of the development of COPA syndrome and other forms of autoimmune arthritis, with the ultimate goal of finding ways to change the cellular pathways that lead to disease.

“Even though this is an inherited disease, not everyone with the mutated COPA gene develops it,” Dr. Orange explained. “We don’t know why someone develops this disease at age 2 and someone else develops it at age 26. Some never develop it at all. Something triggers it. Do the same triggers work for other forms of autoimmune arthritis? Maybe. We’re hoping that by developing the mouse model to study this disease, we will find answers to these and other important questions that have broad applications to other forms of arthritis.”

So how did Dr. Orange and his team become interested in studying COPA syndrome? Dr. Levi Watkin, a co-investigator on the team, said that they didn’t go looking for COPA syndrome – it found them. "Seeing two families with the same rare disease presentations was very unusual. It led to questions like ‘What is it? What is wrong immunologically?’ Finding the answers to these questions after seeing the impact on the families drove us to dig deeper,” he said.

“Making a discovery that is relevant to a person is the most rewarding part of this work. We are committed to helping these families find answers,” Dr. Orange added.

Dr. Orange is the chief of Immunology, Allergy, and Rheumatology, professor and section head for Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology in the department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, and the director of the Center for Human Immunobiology at Texas Children’s Hospital.  Dr. Watkin is an instructor in the department of Pediatrics - Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology at Baylor College of Medicine.

  • Researchers on the Path to a Cure - Spotlight on Dr. Nora Singer

  • Researchers on the Path to a Cure – Spotlight on Dr. Richard F. Loeser, Jr

  • Researchers on the Path to a Cure – Spotlight on Dr. Hongsik Cho

  • Researchers on the Path to a Cure – Spotlight on Dr. Christine Beeton

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The Arthritis Foundation is focused on finding a cure and championing the fight against arthritis with life-changing information, advocacy, science and community. We can only achieve these goals with your help. Strong, outspoken and engaged volunteers will help us conquer arthritis. By getting involved, you become a leader in our organization and help make a difference in the lives of millions. Join us and become a Champion of Yes.

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Meet Our Partners

As a partner, you will help the Arthritis Foundation provide life-changing resources, science, advocacy and community connections for people with arthritis, the nations leading cause of disability. Join us today and help lead the way as a Champion of Yes.

Trailblazer

Our Trailblazers are committed partners ready to lead the way, take action and fight for everyday victories. They contribute $2,000,000 to $2,749,000

Visionary

Our Visionary partners help us plan for a future that includes a cure for arthritis. These inspired and inventive champions have contributed $1,500,00 to $1,999,999.

Pioneer

Our Pioneers are always ready to explore and find new weapons in the fight against arthritis. They contribute $1,000,000 to $1,499,999.

Pacesetter

Our Pacesetters ensure that we can chart the course for a cure for those who live with arthritis. They contribute $500,000 to $999,000.

Signature

Our Signature partners make their mark by helping us identify new and meaningful resources for people with arthritis. They contribute $250,000 to $499,999.

Supporting

Our Supporting partners are active champions who provide encouragement and assistance to the arthritis community. They contribute $100,000 to $249,999.

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