New fibroblast study offers insights in rheumatoid arthritis treatment

This study focused on synovial fibroblasts, which make up part of the connective tissue around human joints. It is known that inrheumatoid arthritis, these cells cause damage by invading and attacking the cartilage and bone around the joint; however, this research offered evidence that there may be two distinct types of synovial fibroblast, which was not previously known. These two types were categorised by specific cell surface markers, PDPN and CD248, and it was shown that the part closest to the cartilage tended to contain the invasive PDPN-type fibroblasts that cause cartilage damage, while the part that was further away from the cartilage contained the non-invasive CD248 type. Implications for new treatment strategies This research could prove important in laying the foundation for new therapeutic strategies. Currently, the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis involves giving patients a combination of immunosuppressivedrugs, which is known to carry the risk of a serious impact on their quality of life. As such, this study's suggestion that targeting fibroblast cell processes could result in more effective and manageable treatments will be good news for patients. Study leader Dr Adam Croft from the University of Birmingham said:"This study not only shows the existence of distinct subsets of synovial fibroblasts, but also suggests that these cells are able to self-organise into lining and sublining layers in the presence of cartilage. "Combined with the differen...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news