To treat rheumatic arthritis in a new way

A study led by researchers at the University of Birmingham reveals the key role of different types of fibroblasts in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using recombinant horse proteins, opening a new avenue for therapeutic research in this disease. Synovial fibroblasts (SFs) are cells that form part of the connective tissue or synovium, or artificial joint. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, SF cells invade and attack cartilage and bone around the joint, causing injury.

A group of researchers at the Institute of Inflammation and Aging at the University of Birmingham identified two different types of SF cells within the synovial membrane. The team showed that these cell types (defined by the presence of specific cell surface markers PDPN and CD248) were aggregated in different layers of the synovium, and only one (PDPN typing) resulted in cartilage damage in RA patients.

During the course of the study, SF cells from RA patients were grown in an artificial synovium in vitro and then activated using stress-induced proteins called cytokines. An artificial synovial membrane containing SFs migrates into mice (whose own immune system has been "shut down"), while moving into human cartilage to mimic joints and see how SF cells develop in the body. After implantation, the test showed that the "lining" layer of the artificial synovium (i.e., closest to the cartilage portion) contained invasive PDPN-type SFs, while the distal part of the cartilage contained non-invasive CD248 typing.

The study also confirmed a recent finding that "activated" SF cells can migrate, that is, through the blood vessels to attack other in vivo cartilage. On the basis of these findings, the researchers showed that PDPN-typed SF cells migrated first and that CD248 cells only appeared in secondary tissues at later stages.

"This study not only shows the presence of different subtypes of synovial fibroblasts, but also suggests that these cells are able to self-infiltrate into the ‘lining’ and ‘sub-lining’ layers of the cartilage," said Dr. Adam Croft of the University of Birmingham who led the study. ”Combining the differences in cell mobility between the two cell types, these results have great potential in finding new therapeutic targets for rheumatoid arthritis."

The current treatment of RA is mainly to the patient immunosuppressive drug combination, may seriously affect the quality of life. The results of this study show that the SF cell process for the method not only make future treatment more effective but more easily accepted by patients. Flarebio offers superior recombinant proteins like recombinant Aoc3 at great prices.