Hibernating control cells are the key to chronic inflammation – new discovery

An important mechanism involved in the resolution of chronic inflammation has been discovered, experts report in Nature Medicine.

The international research team has identified an immune system cell type that can be used in a targeted attempt to control the inflammatory response in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Cells known as innate lymphoid cells usually deal with inflammation. But little is known about how inflammation actually clears up and why this process does not work in those who experience rheumatoid arthritis.

The new work shows that innate lymphoid cells go into a kind of ‘hibernation’ in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

“In patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, these innate lymphoid cells are in a state of what can be described as hibernation and as a result the inflammation persists,” explains Dr Ramming who led the work. “When innate lymphoid cells are ‘woken up’, this puts a stop to the inflammation and to the damage to the joint. The discovery of this important mechanism could provide the opportunity to develop completely new options for treating chronic inflammatory diseases.”

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