Abstract: This invention relates to methods for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by administering one or more agents that specifically target LIR-2, LIR-3 and LIR-7. Results disclosed herein indicate that these three LIRs may participate in regulating the activation of leukocytes that infiltrate synovial tissue. Thus, inflammation in the joints of RA patients can be ameliorated by administering agents that modulate expression or function of LIR-2 and/or LIR-3 and/or LIR-7 to reduce or eliminate the activation of monocytes or macrophages present in inflamed joints, or to reduce their recruitment to the site of inflammation. This can be accomplished by modulating LIR-7, which transmits a stimulatory signal, and/or by modulating LIR-2 and/or LIR-3, which when triggered exert an inhibitory effect, or by concurrently modulating two or all three of these LIRs.