 |
|
The genes involved in rheumatoid arthritis identified
September 07, 2007The human genome has now been thoroughly screened in the hunt for the genetic causes of rheumatoid arthritis. The results, which both confirms previous hypotheses and turn the spotlight on entirely new genes, are presented in two articles in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine.
Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common rheumatic disease, and affects approximately one per cent of the population. Its causes are unknown, but scientists believe that the chances of developing the disease are determined as much by genetic factors as they are by environment and lifestyle.
An international team of researchers from Sweden, the USA and Singapore, led by professors Lars Klareskog and Lars Alfredsson at the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet together with PhD group leader Mark Seielstad at the A*STAR funded national Genome Institute of Singapore, has compared the genomes of over 1,5000 rheumatics with those of 1,850 controls. Their analysis shows that the DNA of these two groups are at a variance at three sites, two genes previously linked to the disease and a previously unresearched gene complex known as TRAF-C5.
The Swedish and American researchers have also used the same material to examine the significance of a specific area of the genome. They found that yet another gene, STAT 4, could be linked to the disease.
The previously studied genes and the newly discovered TRAF-C5 and STAT4 genes are each important in its own way for the function of the body's immune cells.
"It's exciting that we've found new, single genes that impact on the risk of disease, but what's most important is that we've now got a broader base for understanding the mechanisms behind the development and course of the disease," says Professor Klareskog. "Since the two most crucial genes are already known, this shows that we're on the right track."
The studies illustrate the apparent need and growing trend towards conducting genetic research through large-scale international partnerships. Sweden's unique patient register has been of use here for the gathering of samples and for the analysis of the interaction between genetic and environmental factors, while the genetic analysis has been carried out in Singapore using the very latest genomic techniques.
"We're concentrating our efforts onto Singapore as it's a country that is currently investing very actively in bioscience and biotechnology," says Professor Jan Carlstedt-Duke, Dean of Research at Karolinska Institutet. "This is the second study from our partnership with Singapore that's given results."
Karolinska Institutet
The Swedish and American researchers have also used the same material to examine the significance of a specific area of the genome. They found that yet another gene, STAT 4, could be linked to the disease.
The previously studied genes and the newly discovered TRAF-C5 and STAT4 genes are each important in its own way for the function of the body's immune cells.
"It's exciting that we've found new, single genes that impact on the risk of disease, but what's most important is that we've now got a broader base for understanding the mechanisms behind the development and course of the disease," says Professor Klareskog. "Since the two most crucial genes are already known, this shows that we're on the right track."
The studies illustrate the apparent need and growing trend towards conducting genetic research through large-scale international partnerships. Sweden's unique patient register has been of use here for the gathering of samples and for the analysis of the interaction between genetic and environmental factors, while the genetic analysis has been carried out in Singapore using the very latest genomic techniques.
"We're concentrating our efforts onto Singapore as it's a country that is currently investing very actively in bioscience and biotechnology," says Professor Jan Carlstedt-Duke, Dean of Research at Karolinska Institutet. "This is the second study from our partnership with Singapore that's given results."
Karolinska Institutet
Rheumatoid Arthritis Current Events and Rheumatoid Arthritis News RSSNew study shows that important gene controls the ability of the thymus to produce disease-fighting T-cells after an organism's birth
New research, just published by researchers from the University of Georgia, provides the first evidence that a key gene may be crucial to maintaining the production of the thymus and its disease-fighting T-cells after an animal's birth.
New therapeutic target identified for rheumatoid arthritis
Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery have identified a potential new therapeutic target that could be used to treat inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Type-1 diabetes not so much bad genes as good genes behaving badly, Stanford research shows
Investigators combing the genome in the hope of finding genetic variants responsible for triggering early-onset diabetes may be looking in the wrong place, new research at the Stanford University School of Medicine suggests.
Geisinger research: Antimalarial drug prevents diabetes in arthritis patients
The use of an antimalarial medication may prevent the onset of diabetes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, new Geisinger research shows.
Rheumatoid arthritis rising among women
After four decades on the decline, rheumatoid arthritis is on the upswing among women in the United States. That's the finding presented by Mayo Clinic investigators at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals in San Francisco.
First international guidelines for treatment of psoriatic arthritis
Rheumatologists, dermatologists, and patient advocates have come together to publish the first-ever international guidelines for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis, a disease that mainly affects people who have psoriasis but also some people without it.
Green tea may delay onset of type 1 diabetes
A powerful antioxidant in green tea may prevent or delay the onset of type 1 diabetes, Medical College of Georgia researchers say.
Silencing a protein could kill T-Cells, reverse leukemia
Blocking the signals from a protein that activates cells in the immune system could help kill cells that cause a rare form of blood cancer, according to physicists and oncologists who combined computer modeling and molecular biology in their discovery.
Statins may prevent miscarriages
Hospital for Special Surgery researchers have found that statins may be able to prevent miscarriages in women who are suffering from pregnancy complications caused by antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), according to a study in mice.
Hodgkin lymphoma -- new characteristics discovered
Researchers are still discovering new characteristics of Hodgkin lymphoma, a common form of cancer of the lymphatic system. The malignant cells are derived from white blood cells (B cells), but have lost a considerable part of the B cell-specific gene expression pattern.
More Rheumatoid Arthritis Current Events and Rheumatoid Arthritis News Articles
 | The First Year: Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (First Year, The) by M.E.A. McNeil Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a disease characterized by inflammation of the joints, is one of the most disabling forms of arthritis and affects over two million people in the United States. Without proper treatment it can lead to long-term joint damage, chronic pain, loss of function, and disability. From the first moment of her diagnosis, author M.E.A. McNeil took charge and educated herself on... |
 | The Arthritis Foundation's Guide to Good Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis, 3rd Edition (Arthritis Foundation's Guide to Good Living with Rheumatoid Arthriti) by Dorothy Foltz-Gray From the Arthritis Foundation, a trusted source of health information and guidance for more than 50 years, Good Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis, 3rd Edition, explains new research and treatments in clear, simple language. Readers will learn how to be proactive patients, how to stretch daily to reduce pain and increase flexibility, and how to judge the many over-the-counter drugs and supplements... |
 | Conquering Arthritis: What Doctors Don't Tell You Because They Don't Know: 9 Secrets I Learned the Hard Way by Barbara D. Allan This book provides hard-earned, practical, detailed information that is critical for successful healing of arthritis, but that has never before been collected in one book. Without this information many people with arthritis will not get well. The information is organized into a well-researched, easy-to-follow plan for getting well again and includes case histories of people with dramatic and... |
 | Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis (Johns Hopkins Press Health Book) by Tammi L. Shlotzhauer, James L. McGuire A trusted guide and an invaluable resource, Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis offers practical advice for the millions of people coping with this painful disease. Now thoroughly revised and expanded, in a second edition, this book brings readers up to date with the latest methods of diagnosis and treatment.Building on their accessible explanation of the disease and its causes, the authors describe... |
 | Freedom from Rheumatoid Arthritis by Sonia St. Claire Freedom from Rheumatoid Arthritis is an inspirational book about survival. It tells the story of how one woman went from being a bed ridden cripple on and off for a year and a half, to reclaiming her health, happiness and quality of life stolen from her by this insidious disease. It is the story of a journey, a journey of discovery undertaken by one fiercely determined woman. A woman who has been... |
 | Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Infection Connection {Targeting and Treating the Cause of Chronic Illness} by Katherine M. Poehlmann Foreword by Dr. Harold W. Clark, author of "Why Arthritis?" Appendices by Dr. Joseph Mercola (mercola.com) and Dr. Garth Nicolson (Institute for Molecular Medicine) Definitions of terms ****************************** EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE CONSULTING YOUR DOCTOR! ****************************** A research scientist and former arthritis sufferer outlines a proven... |
 | What To Do When The Doctor Says It's Rheumatoid Arthritis: Stop Your Pain, Become More Active, and Learn How to Talk to Your Doctors by Winnie Yu, Harry D. Fischer Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful, incurable connective-tissue disease that attacks the hands, feet, and joints and may lead to deformities and permanent disabilities. This book, written by a doctor and health journalist will offer comprehensive medical advice and lifestyle information for the nearly three million Americans who suffer from this disease. The book uses mind-body techniques and... |
 | Rheumatoid Arthritis: Plan to Win by Cheryl Koehn, Taysha Palmer, John Esdaile M.D. Nearly 3 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, a painful, incurable connective-tissue disease that attacks the hands and feet as well as the joints and may lead to deformities and permanent disabilities. Rheumatoid Arthritis: Plan to Win offers an inspiring, scientifically based game plan for minimizing the effects of this chronic illness, and ultimately, achieving optimal health. ... |
 | Water Exercises for Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Effective Way to Reduce Pain and Inflammation While Increasing Flexibility and Mobility by Ann A. Rosenstein Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease affecting 2 million people. Symptoms differ from person to person but the most common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are inflamed joints, pain, stiffness of the joints, and a feeling of the joints being on fire.Water Exercises for Rheumatoid Arthritis explains how water exercise helps relieve the pains and restrictions caused by rheumatoid... |
 | Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis (Overcoming Common Problems) by Philippa Pigache Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease affecting one in 100 people in which the body attacks itself, leading to inflammation and damage to the joints. Other organs can also be affected, and further symptoms include fatigue and depression. This upbeat book explains clearly the nature and symptoms of RA, possible causes, diagnosis, and treatment, including psychological aspects, medication,... |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |