Released 26 August 2008

New research identifies proteins involved in rheumatoid arthritis bone loss

A new report has indicated how rheumatoid arthritis (RA) destroys bone and suggested possible new treatment ideas for sufferers.

The researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center in the US published the results of their study in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

They explained that research in the 1990s identified an enzyme called Smad Ubiquitin Regulatory Factor 1 (Smurf1) as one of the key ways the body 'tags' ageing proteins in need of disposal.

In the new study, the team generated two lines of mice - one with high TNF alpha levels and with Smurf1 present, and a second group with high TNF alpha production but no Smurf1.

Bone volumes and strengths were then measured and it was found that the presence of TNF alpha levels dramatically decreased the levels of two key proteins called Smad1 and Runx2 - used by the body to signal increases in the number of bone-building osteoblasts.

However, it was also shown that Smurf1 was needed to pass on the signals from TNF alpha.

"The significance of our study is that it identifies Smurf1 as the signalling partner through which TNF does damage in RA-related bone loss," Dr Lianping Xing explained.

"That has enabled researchers to begin designing small molecule drugs to shut down the action of Smurf 1 and its relatives."ADNFCR-1096-ID-18748825-ADNFCR

Recent related stories:

Foot problems 'increase in early rheumatoid arthritis'
20 November 2008
 Grape powder 'reduces arthritis pain and inflammation'
19 November 2008
 Rheumatoid arthritis vaccine 'shows good results'
18 November 2008
 Myotonic dystrophy patients 'wrongly diagnosed with fibromyalgia'
17 November 2008
 Rheumatoid arthritis patients 'have higher heart disease risk'
17 November 2008
 Osteoporosis drugs 'do not lead to heart problems'
14 November 2008
 Asthma drugs 'reduce bone mineral density'
13 November 2008