Scientists stumble on rheumatoid arthritis vaccine with huge potential

[Jilly_in_VA]

Researchers from the University of Toledo have discovered a prospective new treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. The vaccine-based treatment strategy proved successful in preliminary animal studies and the researchers are looking to conduct more clinical trials in the future.

The research hinges around a protein called 14-3-3 zeta. Ritu Chakravarti, lead author on the new study, has been studying 14-3-3 zeta for several years due to its suspected role in a number of autoimmune conditions.

The initial hypothesis was this protein played a significant role in the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. If it was triggering the disease then knocking out the gene in arthritis mouse models should prevent the condition arising in the first place.

But to the researchers surprise, the exact opposite happened. When the mice were deprived of 14-3-3 zeta they demonstrated accelerated disease progression. More specifically, the researchers noted arthritis seemed to be induced in the animals alongside the loss of anti-14-3-3 zeta antibodies.

https://newatlas.com/medical/preclinical-studies-rheumatoid-arthritis-vaccine/
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If true.......

[getagrip_already]

1. science... it's a thing

Imagine that. A research team uses the scientific method, disproves their own hypothesis, and still comes up with a groundbreaking treatment.

But will it survive facebook review?

[NightWatcher]

2. As someone with RA, Lupus, Polymyositis,( and others I'm sure,) I welcome this with watering eyes.

Oh, and I'd like to volunteer but because I have a myriad of things I'd be a bad candidate.

My arm is here to be your pin cushion. My blood and body are available for study. Take me Science, I'm yours.

[mopinko]

3. boy howdy. i bet we could charter a bus.

shogrens, mixed connective tissue disease, and yeah, who knows more.

i'm tired of having my symptoms treated w/o even a name. i'm 67 and feel 87.
come on science. get me too, so maybe my kids, who are also f'ed up, dont have to live my life. like i lived my da's.

[NightWatcher]

4. I inherited mine from my father and I'd love to know my kid stands a chance of a better life.

At 37 was told my kidneys were failing and I'd be gone in a matter of weeks- months. That was ten years ago.

[Jilly_in_VA]

5. I have a couple of relatively un-serious

(for now) auto-immune conditions. I also have IBS, which I am convinced (no evidence to the contrary) is an auto-immune condition. I inherited it from my father and my daughter inherited it from me. So any research in this field interests me intensely.

[Dr. Shepper]

6. My husband developed RA in his early 40s

About 7 years ago. It’s changed both of our lives completely. He is desperate and would try anything to be out of constant pain and to be able to use his legs like he used to.

[Staph]

7. I've got RA, but not in the usual way.

I'm on immunotherapy treatment for my cancer, and that appears to have kicked off the RA - I have none of the usual markers or antibodies in the blood. My oncologist's office is going to write a paper on me!

I wonder how the vaccine would work for me.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

8. Interesting. Hope it pans out.

Alas, an awful lot of good results with mice don't do squat with humans.