Arthritis is a seriously debilitating condition that can cause discomfort, pain and other concerns for wellbeing. While we know that millions of people suffer with the condition there is a limit in our knowledge about what causes it. This has made it very difficult for doctors, scientists and researchers to come up with successful treatments.
Now a team of scientists trying to create drugs to treat chronic inflammation in conditions like arthritis have now discovered a new problem known as MMP2 - an enzyme that works as a ‘master switch’ to activate inflammatory diseases.
The research, published recently in the medical journal Science Signaling, examined the role of a group of enzymes known as MMP and the role that they play in inflammation. Arthritis happens when there is excessive inflammation of cartilage around the joints. The immune system believes it is helped, but it is actually making the problem acutely worse.
The attacks by the immune system cause discomfort and pain, and can eventually lead to very serious chronic problems that can eventually be disabling. In researching ways that the MMP proteases affect inflammation the team noticed that MMP2 is actually a catalyst for the problem. It essentially allows the immune system to attack the joints.
The team said that they were surprised by the results of the research and hoped that this new understanding of the role of MMP2 can lead scientists to finding ways to block it. It’s also thought that the findings can serve as a basis for a blood test to detect the disease before any severe damage to joints occurs.
This is a very positive step for arthritis treatment and could mean that many people suffering with mild arthritis can look forward to treatments that can ensure the disease does not progress.
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How A New Discovery Could Help Treatments For Arthritis
