Inflammatory Arthritis (IA) refers to a condition that causes joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and redness. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are types of inflammatory arthritis. 

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Inflammation occurs in the lining around the join, called the synovium. When it occurs, it tends to increase over time, leading to increased size of the lining and swelling of the joint.

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What the person with inflammatory arthritis might experience is swelling and pain in the joint. There may also be limited physical function (ability to use the joint) or a feeling of weakness at the joint. Sometimes people with arthritis also have a general feeling of not feeling well, like the flu or overly tired. These symptoms are part of the experience of living with IA. 

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In addition to joint symptoms, people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis also have areas of skin inflammation. Similar things that are happening in the lining of the joint are happening in the lining of the skin. Areas of the skin can increase in thickness and become raised (plaques) and can get red, tender, itchy, sometimes painful and bleeding. 

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We are trying to understand the different cell types that cause the inflammation, how they stack up (the architecture of the skin and/or joint), and how they interact/talk to each other. We also want to know what cells can be turned off or on to turn down the inflammation - to reduce swelling and pain, and maybe cure the disease altogether. 

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Help us understand these things and build a future where there may be a cure or even better treatments than where we are today!