Calf muscle fibers (outlined in red) of male rats are on average larger than in females likely placing increased strain on the Achilles tendon and rendering it more vulnerable to injury.

Sex-Differences in Achilles Tendon Properties May Explain Why Ruptures Occur More Often in Men

Spotlight on Research | December 20, 2016
Young satellite cells (left panel) carrying active β1-integrin (red) localize to the edge of a muscle fiber (dotted line). However older cells (right panel) drift away from it indicating the cells’ impaired function.

Muscle Aging Linked to Failure of Stem Cells to Interact with Environment

Spotlight on Research | December 19, 2016
Fibroblast-like synoviocytes reside in the joint lining and contribute to joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Joint-Specific Cell Differences Suggest the Need for Tailored Therapies

Spotlight on Research | December 17, 2016
Microscope image of mucous membrane showing antibodies in red.

Engineered T Cells Alleviate Autoimmune Skin Disease in Mice

Spotlight on Research | December 15, 2016
Dr. Peter Grayson (left), principal investigator of NIH’s Vasculitis Translational Research Program, reviews diagnostic images with Dr. Mark Ahlman at the NIH Clinical Center.

Vasculitis: a rare-but-serious family of diseases you may never have heard of

Spotlight on Research | October 28, 2016
Ishman Woodard volunteers for START in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Daniel Hamm and Jovita Newman monitor his progress.

North Carolinians Volunteer for Knee Pain Study

Spotlight on Research | October 25, 2016
2016 summer students with Dr. Robert Walker chief of the NIAMS Career Development and Outreach Branch (center back row) and Dr. Stephanie Mathews Scientific Program Manager (3rd from left back row).

NIAMS Interns Share Their 2016 Summer Experiences

Spotlight on Research | October 23, 2016
Photo of a woman having trouble getting up from a couch due to knee pain.

Readily Available Pain Medication a Cost-effective Choice for Many Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis

Spotlight on Research | August 30, 2016
3-D woven scaffold

Stem cells grown on scaffold mimic hip joint cartilage

Spotlight on Research | August 26, 2016
Photo of a skeleton of FOP patient.

New Insights About Excess Bone Formation in Rare Disease Lead to Potential Drug Treatments

Spotlight on Research | August 23, 2016
Microscope image of the joint tissue from RA patient.

Immune Cell’s Role in Rheumatoid Arthritis-Induced Bone Loss Revealed

Spotlight on Research | August 23, 2016
Microscope image of the skin cell of a mouse.

Ion Channel Found to Play Role in Itch Sensation

Spotlight on Research | July 23, 2016
Blood vessels (grey) expand and branch in areas where large numbers of anti-inflammatory monocytes (multi-colored dots) have been recruited by the signaling molecule, SDF-1α.

Bioengineers Develop Method to Enhance Growth of Blood Vessels

Spotlight on Research | May 31, 2016
Photo of white blood cells one normal and one with NEMO mutation.

Same Immune Regulatory Protein Found to Play Instrumental Role in Two Hereditary Autoinflammatory Diseases

Spotlight on Research | May 21, 2016
Two bone samples to compare one treated one untreated.

Bone Loss Triggered by Hormonal Condition Found to Involve Immune Molecule

Spotlight on Research | May 21, 2016
Photo of pregnant woman.

Study Suggests Most Women With Mild to Moderate Lupus Can Expect to Have Healthy Pregnancies

Spotlight on Research | April 21, 2016
Images of mice being treated.

Two Drugs That Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis and Blood Cancers Shown to Promote Hair Growth

Spotlight on Research | April 21, 2016
Photo of dogs.

Dog with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Escapes the Disease, Spurring Interest in Potential New Treatment Approach

Spotlight on Research | March 1, 2016
MRI image of a knee.

MRI Findings Reveal Early Changes to Joint That Predict Development of Knee Osteoarthritis

Spotlight on Research | January 1, 2016
Photos showing skin biopsies.

Experimental Compound Shows Promise in Reversing Skin Disease Associated with Systemic Sclerosis

Spotlight on Research | January 1, 2016