Lymphocyte research suggests rheumatoid arthritis therapy approach

Scientists in Spain have discovered the role that a certain type of platelet could play in the prevention of rheumatoid arthritis.

The Barcelona-based team found that a subpopulation of immune cells known to be involved in rheumatoid arthritis have platelets attached to their surface, impairing their ability to cause disease by reducing their activity levels and ability to spread.

It is thought that this could lead to new investigations into treatments that bind platelets to lymphocytes in order to replicate this effect, while this understanding may also serve as a tool for better predicting the severity of the disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious and debilitating condition that is estimated to affect more than 580,000 people in England and Wales.

Dr Silvia Vidal, a researcher involved in the work from the department of immunology at Barcelona's Institut Recerca of the Hospital Santa Creu I Sant Pau, said: "We hope with this knowledge to contribute to the reduction in the chronicity of inflammatory diseases, one of the main aspects that compromise the quality of life of the patients."