A new protein is being identified by researchers which regulates the severity of tissue damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation, pain, stiffness and damage to the joints of the feet, hips, knees, and hands. The findings were detailed in the scientific journal PNAS.
"Our findings provide a genetic marker that could be used to identify those RA patients who require more aggressive treatments or personalized medicine," said lead researcher Gerry Wilson, honorary professor at the University of Sheffield in Britain.
Although there is no cure for RA, new effective drugs are increasingly available to treat the disease and prevent deformed joints. Self-management of the condition by patients, including exercise, is also known to reduce pain and resulting disability. The protein that the researchers identified is called C5orf30.
The researchers analyzed DNA samples and biopsy samples from the joints of over 1,000 RA patients in Sheffield and Ireland.
"These exciting findings will prompt us to further explore the role of this highly conserved protein that we know so little about, and its significance in human health and disease," study co-author Munitta Muthana from the University of Sheffield noted.
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