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Scientists Identify New Trigger for Chronic Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis
The authors of the study, from Imperial College London, say that if scientists could block this signal, it may be possible to develop more effective arthritis treatments.
Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common autoimmune disease, affecting around 1 in 100 people. It causes painful and persistent swelling in the joints that can result in damage to the bone and cartilage. Around half of all patients do not respond to one or more of the treatments currently available, and even these can become less successful over time. The researchers behind the new study say stopping the disease closer to the root of the problem could be the best way to treat it, and their results suggest a new target for therapies.
When a microbe infects the body, the body responds by turning on a molecular switch to set the immune system into action and protect the body from disease. Today's findings show that a signal molecule called tenascin-C can trigger the same molecular switch and also activate the immune system. High levels of tenascin-C present in joints therefore may cause the activated immune system to attack the joint leading to the persistent inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis.
The molecular switch is called TLR4, and is found on the surface of immune cells. Previous research has shown that mice without TLR4 do not show chronic joint inflammation. The researchers hope scientists can develop new treatments that target the interaction between tenascin-C and TLR4, which may help to combat rheumatoid arthritis.
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More News on: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Oligoarthritis, Physiotherapy Utilities, Spondylolisthesis, Chemotherapy, Chemotherapy Drugs, Knee Replacement, Reiter’s syndrome, Arthritis
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 | Quiz on Arthritis Arthritis, the inflammation of joints, can affect anyone irrespective of their age, gender, or genes. However, a healthy lifestyle can prevent the development of arthritis. 
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