Arthritis ‘trigger’ found
A NEW treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is a step closer following the discovery of a “master switch” which triggers the condition.
Rheumatoid arthritis, which affects 350,000 in Britain, is an incurable immune system disease where joints are swollen by inflammation.
The body uses inflammation as a defence against infection and tissue damage, but too much is harmful.
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Scientists at Imperial College London have found a protein called IRF5 that acts as a switch, telling immune system cells, called macrophages, to promote or stop inflammation.
Blocking the production of IRF5 could help in a range of diseases including RA, lupus and even MS.
A treatment called anti-TNF drugs developed at the college previously is ineffective in 30 per cent of cases.
Senior researcher Dr Irina Udalova said: “This is really exciting.”