Lyme disease, caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, is the most prevalent arthropod-borne illness in the US. Disease severity varies greatly, with up to 60% of untreated patients developing a self-limiting, inflammatory arthritis. Even after appropriate antibiotic therapy, 10% of patients may develop chronic arthritis lasting months to years. The spectrum of arthritis severity amongContinueContinue reading “Genetic variant regulates arthritis severity”
Tag Archives: arthritis
A link between gut bacteria and rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease marked by joint inflammation. Although its causes are unknown, mouse studies suggest that gut bacteria may be involved in supporting the immune response underlying inflammation. When scientists led by Dan Littman (New York University School of Medicine, NY) investigated this involvement, they found that a specific gut bacteriumContinueContinue reading “A link between gut bacteria and rheumatoid arthritis”
Toward better management of Lyme disease
Results of a new study by researchers at Yale University School of Medicine (New Haven, CT) may point to the cause of persistent arthritis in people with Lyme disease. About 10% of Lyme sufferers will experience Lyme-related arthritis; in about 10% of these cases, the arthritis can last for months, despite antibiotic therapy. Its pathologyContinueContinue reading “Toward better management of Lyme disease”
Exercise alone relieves arthritis symptoms
The links between diet, obesity, exercise and arthritis have been the focus of much research attention, partly because arthritis is estimated to affect as many as 20% of adults in the US. One form of arthritis, called osteoarthritis, is characterized by inflammation, joint degeneration and development of osteophytes (bony outgrowths around joints), resulting in pain.ContinueContinue reading “Exercise alone relieves arthritis symptoms”
New cytokine, new role in colitis
The cytokines are a large, varied group of signaling molecules involved in development, immune responses and cellular communication. Dysregulation of cytokines has been implicated in depression, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, cancer and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In IBD, cytokines activate the immune system, causing chronic intestinal inflammation (colitis). But recent research led by Charles A. DinarelloContinueContinue reading “New cytokine, new role in colitis”
Activating apoptosis to treat rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, destructive inflammation, primarily of the joints, that affects up to 1% of the world’s population. The cause of the disease is not known, but its progression is autoimmune: immune cells called macrophages, which normally die after attacking an invader, instead persist and collect in the cartilage and bone, where theirContinueContinue reading “Activating apoptosis to treat rheumatoid arthritis”
VLP vaccine for Chikungunya
Chikungunya virus is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that causes severe arthritis. Since re-emerging in 2004, it has infected millions of people. Attempts to develop vaccines had only limited success until recently, when researchers developed a vaccine using virus-like particles (VLPs). The VLP vaccine protected macaques from Chikungunya viral infection. Lab Anim. (NY) 39, 63 (2010).ContinueContinue reading “VLP vaccine for Chikungunya”
Engineered cartilage does better under pressure
Arthritis affects millions of people worldwide, causing pain and stiffness in joints. In some cases, arthritis develops after the cartilage in a joint is damaged. Cartilage acts to cushion the joints, allowing for smooth movement. Because cartilage cannot repair itself after injury, tissue engineers have attempted to generate new cartilage that could be transplanted intoContinueContinue reading “Engineered cartilage does better under pressure”
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