Scientists from the University of Toledo in Ohio (USA) have developed a vaccine that can protect against a severe autoimmune disease – rheumatoid arthritis. You can get acquainted with the result of their work in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Currently, rheumatoid arthritis does not respond to treatment – it is only possible to alleviate its painful manifestations. The disease occurs when the immune system behaves inappropriately – it begins to attack and destroy healthy tissues of the body. The knees, ankles, wrists and hands are primarily affected.
Dr. Ritu Chakravarti, research leader and associate professor at the College of Medicine and Life Sciences, says:
“Despite the high prevalence, there is no cure for this disease, and we do not fully know what causes it. However, this is true for almost all autoimmune diseases, which makes them difficult to treat or prevent.”
For many years, the doctor studied the 14-3-3 zeta protein and its role in immune pathologies, including aortic aneurysms, as well as interleukin-17, a cytokine associated with autoimmune diseases. In their study, the researchers found that removing the 14-3-3 zeta protein using gene editing technology caused severe arthritis in laboratory animals.
Assuming that this protein protects against rheumatoid arthritis, scientists have developed a unique vaccine based on purified 14-3-3 zeta, grown in laboratory conditions. Further, experimentally, using animals, the authors proved that the vaccine promotes an immediate, strong and long-lasting response from the body’s immune system, providing protection against disease. Chakravarti says:
“Much to our surprise, rheumatoid arthritis has completely disappeared in the animals that received the vaccine. If we can successfully bring this vaccine to clinical trials, it will be revolutionary.”
The vaccine not only suppresses the development of rheumatoid arthritis, but also significantly improves the quality of bones. And this promises additional long-term benefits after immunization.
All over the world, rheumatoid arthritis is now treated with corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, or biologics that target a specific inflammatory process. They relieve pain to some extent and slow the progression of the disease, but make patients more vulnerable to infections. Moreover, their cost is often too high. Chakravarty notes with optimism:
“We have a completely different approach. A vaccine-based strategy can hopefully not only treat but also prevent rheumatoid arthritis. The potential is huge.”
An osteopathic doctor successfully relieves the painful manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis. Manual influence allows to restore periarticular blood flow, helps to reduce fibrotization of muscles, ligaments, prevent adhesion of periarticular bags. And while an effective, as it seems, vaccine is in development, do not endure the pain – contact an experienced specialist.
Osteopathic doctor Sergei Eleutheriadis.
Address: Aphroditis 11 Paleo Faliro.
Mob: 6979318267 viber.
More Stories
Three “innocent” foods that are making you fat
Myths and reality: is cleanliness always the key to health?
50% of people suffer from metabolic syndrome without even knowing what it is