What are the new advances in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis?

The University of Toledo's College of Medicine and Life Sciences has made a groundbreaking discovery regarding the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Dr. Ritu Chakravarti and her team have spent years studying a protein called 14-3-3 zeta. The protein acts as an adapter in cellular signaling and interacts with various other proteins. It not only plays a role in cancer and cardiovascular diseases but is also involved in immune response regulation.

The researchers initially believed that it plays a role in causing RA, but after using gene-editing technology to remove the protein in animal models, they found that the protein actually helps suppress inflammatory arthritis. When the protein was removed from the animal models, the rats began to develop severe joint inflammation, weight reduction, and bone loss. To the contrary, when the researchers injected the animals with the protein during the early disease stages, the models experienced decreased joint inflammation, maintained bone quality, and improved collagen production.

This discovery is what led to the development of a new treatment: by using purified 14-3-3 zeta protein, the team of researchers developed a vaccine that not only prevented the onset of arthritis but also enhanced bone quality. While traditional treatments focused on reducing symptoms and slowing the progression of RA, this vaccine helps suppress inflammatory cells, while increasing anti-inflammatory responses. Although the vaccine has shown promising results in animal models, it is still waiting to be advanced through preclinical stages before being tested on human participants.

The Autoimmune Registry is having its first monthly webinar of 2025 on January 22nd! We have invited Jenny Pagel-Guile, the Executive Director of The National Pancreas Foundation, to share how to leverage one’s medical professional partnerships for community education. Please sign up and join us on Wednesday, January 22nd, from 12 to 1 p.m. Eastern via Zoom.

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