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Protein Relieves Arthritis-
Like Condition in Mice
NEW
YORK (Reuters Health) - A protein that suppresses inflammation
in the body may be a potential weapon against rheumatoid arthritis
(RA), a joint disease caused by a misguided immune response. New
research in mice suggests that the protein, called VIP, can quell
joint inflammation by restoring the immune system's normal balance.
In experiments
with mice with an RA-like condition, scientists in Spain found
that VIP prevented joint swelling and the destruction of cartilage
and bone. Dr. Mario Delgado and his colleagues at Complutense
University in Madrid report their findings in the May issue of
Nature Medicine.
VIP--for vasointestinal
peptide--helps control immune system responses, with one of its
key jobs being to inhibit inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis is
an incurable disease marked by chronic inflammation in the joints,
which wears away cartilage and bone and leads to pain, stiffness
and immobility. Although the cause is unknown, RA is an autoimmune
disease, meaning it involves an abnormal immune-system assault
on healthy joint tissue.
In earlier
studies, Delgado and his colleagues had found that VIP can suppress
the immune system's inflammatory response while enhancing other
immune responses--basically restoring balance to the immune system.
These new experiments, the researchers report, suggest that this
is how VIP injections improved the RA-like condition in the mice.
VIP, the authors
conclude, is an ``attractive'' candidate as a possible new treatment
for RA and other chronic inflammatory conditions and autoimmune
diseases.
Although the
current findings are encouraging, Dr. Gary S. Firestein of the
University of California San Diego told Reuters Health it would
take a ``leap of faith'' to say VIP may show the benefits for
humans.
Animals, Firestein
pointed out, do not develop RA, and it is unknown whether the
protein can alter the course of the human disease.
However, he
noted, this study and others are helping researchers better understand
how RA arises. ``The door is just being opened for new therapeutics,''
he said.
Over the next
5 years, Firestein added, there is likely to be a wave of new
RA treatments.
SOURCE:
Nature Medicine 2001;7:537-538, 563-568.
Reference
Source 89
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