Fat cells trigger rheumatoid arthritis

Fat cells in the knee secrete a protein linked to rheumatoid arthritis – and this finding could pave the way for new gene therapies which could ultimately transform the lives of millions.

“We found that fat in the knee joints secretes a protein called pro-factor D which gives rise to another protein known as factor D that is linked to arthritis,” says Dr Nirmal Banda from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. “Without factor D, mice cannot get rheumatoid arthritis.”

Now that Dr Banda has discovered pro-factor D in mice with rheumatoid arthritis, he is working on gene therapies to eliminate the protein in localised areas.

“We are looking at vaccines, drugs or inhibitors to stop the local secretion of pro-factor D in the mouse,” he says. “Our goal would be to stop the disease before it progresses and leads to joint destruction.”

The findings need to be replicated in humans, but are extremely encouraging.