Turning off memory CD4 T cells in non-lymphoid organs

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes painful joint swelling. Autoimmune diseases happen when the immune system targets tissues of the body rather than controlling bugs. White blood cells called CD4 T cells play an important role in tissue damage in RA. A potential treatment strategy for RA is to turn off these cells. The RA relevent CD4 T cells are activated many years before symptoms develop. These memory CD4 T cells are difficult to turn off. We will use mouse models to investigate what happens to memory CD4 T cells when we try to turn them off.