Rheumatoid arthritis drug development has new chemical targets in sight as research shows cartilage plays active role in disease progression

Rheumatoid arthritis drug development has new chemical targets in sight as research shows cartilage plays active role in disease progression
Cartilage plays a much more important part in the progression and development of rheumatoid arthritis than was previously known, researchers outline in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Scientists already knew that in rheumatoid arthritis an overactive immune system causes the body to attack its own cells, leading to cartilage erosion and joint pain. But until now it was assumed that cartilage was a victim of the process.
The new research involved looking at the role of the protein SOCS3 in controlling inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. The experts found that the cartilage itself is involved in the production of inflammation-signalling chemicals that leads to its own destruction; SOCS3 molecules seem to control the flow of chemical messages within and between cells to regulate inflammation.
Models created that did not have SOCS3 molecules in the cartilage led to an increase of tissue degradation, due to enzymes produced by the cartilage cells that drove this degradation and increased inflammation. Another finding was that cartilage produces a protein called RANKL that triggers bone remodelling.
“These results show that cartilage is not an innocent bystander that gets damaged as a result of rheumatoid arthritis, but instead plays an active role in disease progression,” explains study leader Dr Tommy Liu.
The findings could give scientists new chemical targets to focus on when developing drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
A spokesperson from Arthritis Research UK comments:
“The implication that cartilage plays an active role in the development of inflammatory arthritis could be considerable for future research targets and potential treatments.”

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