Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Inflammasomes research lays the foundation for the development of new treatments for RA

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Inflammasomes research lays the foundation for the development of new treatments for RA -

Patients with forms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) more or less severe may the same painful symptoms, but does that mean that the cause of the disease is the same? And so they should all be treated the same? VIB scientists and the Ghent University have demonstrated their research inflammasomes that RA should be considered as a syndrome rather than a single disease

Mohamed Lamkanfi (VIB / Ghent University) :. "Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be very painful and it is not always easy to find the most appropriate medication. Until recently, RA was regarded as a single disease, but our research suggests that it is more likely be a syndrome of a single disease. This knowledge could lead to a more personalized approach to treatment, with the most appropriate medications chosen based on the patient's profile. "

rheumatoid arthritis and inflammasomes
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease that affects the joints and without treatment, it evolves into a debilitating and painful disease that can seriously affect the patient's quality of life . It is estimated that 1-2% of the world population suffers from RA; which is equivalent to about 5 million people in Europe.

inflammasomes are complex proteins that are part of our immune system. Scientists have suspected for some time that inflammasomes play a role in the development and progression of RA. Lieselotte Vande Walle and Mohamed Lamkanfi were able to demonstrate the role of inflammasomes in RA using a specific mouse model with RA developed by VIB colleagues Geert van Loo and Rudi Beyaert
in Ghent.

They were able to fight against the development of RA by blocking inflammasomes. One method recognized by inflammasomes is the production of interleukin-1, a protein that plays an important role in inflammatory reactions. Stop the effects of interleukin-1 resulted in a cure for mice. In this way, Vande Walle and Lamkanfi demonstrated that the mouse model is suitable for studying the correlation between RA and inflammasomes.

A new therapeutic target
This first mouse model that puts the focus on genetic inflammasomes also lays the foundation for the development of new treatments. Previous research has already shown that other proteins in the immune system - such as TNF and IL-17 - could eventually play a role in RA. The drugs have since been developed against these proteins and thus cure RA. The results of this research show that an additional treatment option might be blocking the Inflammasome (or the result of the IL-1).

medicine to control
Research by the VIB scientists also shows that rheumatoid arthritis is a syndrome rather than a single disease, meaning that similar symptoms may have several different causes. If we know the cause, we can offer a highly targeted treatment. In the case of genetic forms of breast cancer, skin and lung cancer, it is already possible to predict with great accuracy - through genetic testing - if a treatment works or not. We could move towards a more personalized approach to RA as well. People with RA may all have the same symptoms, but the underlying genetic causes may differ. And future treatment options also differ. A new challenge for many scientists!


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