UK researchers find potential new target for rheumatoid arthritis

Scientists at the Newcastle University, UK, in work funded by Arthritis Research UK, have discovered a new way of potentially treating rheumatoid arthritis. This works by preventing damaging white blood cells from entering the joints.

Using a unique drug, they were able to stop destructive white blood cells migrating from the bloodstream into inflamed tissue and so preventing them causing further injury.

In rheumatoid arthritis the body's own immune system attacks the joints. Typical approaches for treatment involve blocking the signals in the body which activate the immune system to attack the joint. In contrast, this new strategy will prevent damaging white blood cells from entering the joints in the first place.