Immune cell study sheds new light on how inflammatory arthritis begins

This study, published in the medical journal Science Immunology, used multiphoton intravital microscopy - an imaging technology that allows immune cell movements to be tracked in real time - to follow the development of arthritis in lab mice withrheumatoid arthritis, in order to better understand how this works. It was revealed that the presence of immune complexes within the joint space leads to the production of a molecule called C5a, which is then displayed on the inner walls of adjacent blood vessels and causes immune cells called neutrophils to pass into the joint, setting off the process of inflammation. The implications for treatment Understanding the biological functions involved in triggering inflammatory arthritis could prove instrumental in future efforts to design therapies that interrupt this process by shutting down crucial steps. The team is now looking to carry out further research to gain a better view of how this process works and to determine whether other types of immune cell may also be involved. The study's senior author Dr Andrew Luster, chief of Massachusetts General Hospital's division of rheumatology, allergy and immunology, said:"The control of immune cell entry into the joint represents a major point at which new therapies could be developed to reduce the symptoms of inflammatory arthritis." Arthritis Research UK's view Dr Natalie Carter, head of research liaison and evaluation, said:"This study will help us gain a better...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news