Research into the underlying causes of arthritis has recently reached a breakthrough, which may enable scientists to develop early screening programmes for the disease. Experts from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, and John Hopkins University School of Medicine in the United States worked together on an inquiry into the nature of certain genes and how they interact to cause arthritis. They catalogued the DNA sequences of over 300 individuals with and without rheumatoid arthritis, in the hope of shedding further light on the way in which this autoimmune disorder operates.
The researchers began by separating the ‘tags’ caused by the disease from the genes that help to cause it. After observing the behaviour and interaction of these genes, they noted ten DNA sites responsible for the development of arthritis. Nine of these sites were already associated with the development of autoimmune disease, but the tenth was a discovery entirely new to the field. The identification of this tag should, theoretically, enable scientists to predict which individuals will suffer from arthritis based on their DNA.
The discovery is significant as it offers a way of catching rheumatoid arthritis early, meaning better solutions and a greater possibility of wellness for patients. Current treatments involve suppressing the body’s entire immune system, which means a great host of side effects detrimental to patient wellbeing. The possibility of early detection provided by this discovery could mean that a simple blood test is all that’s required to manage this health condition at an early stage. The proven ability to isolate and target the responsible genes and genetic ‘tags’ could signal the development of treatments that directly target the offending molecules, rather than fighting the whole immune system. This kind of drug enhancement would save sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis much of the needless pain and suffering of chemical treatments.
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