Pioneering AAV approach unlocks cause of rheumatoid arthritis pain

Published: 26-May-2026

Karolinska Institute researchers use AAV products to uncover neural mechanisms behind rheumatoid arthritis pain

Amsbio reports how researchers from the Karolinska Institute are using their Adeno Associated Virus (AAV) products in a groundbreaking investigation into the causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pain is not explained well by inflammation alone. In a new peer-reviewed study**, the Swedish researchers describe the multitude of approaches they used to uncover the neural basis and causes of the inflammatory pain. In one described methodology, the researchers used AAV produced by Amsbio for conditional Ifnar1 knockout in sensory neurons and pharmacological inhibition, which led to alleviation of joint pain and restoration of dexterity and paw function.

This pioneering AAV approach let the researchers functionally interrogate the exact joint-innervating neurons, rather than inferring joint involvement from skin sensitivity or broad Dorsal Root Ganglion manipulation.

The authors of the paper conclude that joint pain in RA is caused by a defined cytokine and signalling pathway and holds promise for targeted therapies for pain relief in arthritis.

Amsbio offers a comprehensive range of ready-to-use AAV products for both in vitro and in vivo applications. These high-quality recombinant AAV vectors and complete AAV Expression Systems can be used to express shRNA or human ORF. For further information, please visit Amsbio AAV products or contact Amsbio on +31-72-8080244 / +44-1235-828200 / +1-617-945-5033 / info@amsbio.com.

To read the Karolinska Institute paper in full, please visit Nature Neuroscience paper.

** Su, J., Zhang, MD., Kupari, J. et al. Persistent interferon signalling causes sensory neuron plasticity and pain before and during arthritis. Nat Neurosci (2026).

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