London scientists have discovered a way to reverse inflammation and arterial blockages in rheumatoid arthritis, paving the way for better treatments for the condition.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London found that increasing levels of the RvT4 molecule in the body could improve its ability to reduce local inflammation and remove blockage in blood vessels caused by the disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in the UK and affects 1 per cent of the population. Around 10,000 receive a diagnosis each year. The condition causes inflammation in the joints and can result in painful deformity and immobility.
People with the condition are also twice as likely to develop blood vessel disease caused by a build-up of fatty material called "plaque" along the artery walls. This can lead to serious health complications and an increased risk of premature death.
Scientists at QMUL found that administering RvT4 to mice helped to reduce inflammation by re-programming the body's macrophages - a group of white blood cells that play a key role in the immune system.
Researchers said that understanding the reasons why some arthritis patients are at heightened risk of cardiovascular problems would be critical to develop better treatments.
Jesmond Dalli, Professor in Molecular Pharmacology at QMUL, said: “The study is important because it identifies for the first time the loss of RvT4 production as a potential new cause of blood vessel inflammation in the context of arthritis, offering a mechanistic explanation on the cause of this important disease in rheumatoid arthritis patients."
