The Basic Principles Of rheumatoid arthritis pathophysiology

In the world, more and more people are suffering from the inability of their immune systems to distinguish between healthy cells and invading microscopic organisms. They are now being attacked by the defense mechanisms which were designed to defend them.




Major international research efforts are being made to fight this trend - for instance, a London-based initiative called the Francis Crick Institute, where two experts from around the world, James Lee and Carola Vinuesa, have created separate research groups that will help pinpoint the precise causes of autoimmune disease, as these conditions are well-known.


Lee said that autoimmune cases are on the rise since the past 40 years in the West. There are now cases in countries that had never experienced such illnesses.


For instance it is the Middle East and East Asia are the regions that have the highest number of cases of inflammatory intestinal disease. They had not seen the disease prior to.


Type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, IBD and rheumatoidarthitis are all autoimmune diseases. In all cases, the immune system is activated and turns on healthy tissues.


There are at most 4,000,000 people with autoimmune conditions in the UK, and some suffer from more than one. It is estimated that autoimmune diseases are increasing by between three to nine percent per year worldwide. Numerous researchers believe that environmental factors play a a major part in this increase.


Lee who was previously in Cambridge University, says that the human genetics haven't changed in the past 10 years. There's got to be something external that is causing our predisposition for autoimmune disease.


Vinuesa, a former student at the Australian National University, supported this idea. She pointed out that diet changes were happening as more countries adopted Western-style eating habits, and more people were buying fast food.


Fast-food diets lack certain essential ingredients, like fibre, and evidence suggests this alteration affects the microbiome of a person - the collection of micro-organisms that are found within our guts and that are essential in controlling various bodily functions, Vinuesa stated.


The changes in our microbiomes trigger autoimmune disorders, of which there are over 100 different types.


Both scientists highlighted the importance of individual susceptibilities in acquiring such diseases. The celiac and lupus diseases are two additional conditions that can cause swelling and inflammation that could result in damage to various organs including your heart.


Vinuesa says that an individual who doesn't suffer from a genetic predisposition will not develop an autoimmune condition, regardless of the quantity of Big Macs they eat. "We are unable to stop the rapid growth of fast-food restaurants around the world. Instead, we're trying to discover how autoimmune illnesses can be caused and what genetic pathways cause certain individuals to be more vulnerable to the disease than others. This is the way we intend to solve the problem."


The development of modern technologies has allowed scientists to detect tiny variations in DNA across large populations of people. It allows us to discover common genetic patterns among patients suffering from autoimmune diseases.


Lee stated that we didn't have the technology to sequence DNA until recently. In the present, we have the amazing capability to sequence DNA on large scales, which has had a profound impact in our lives. My study revealed that there were around six DNA variants involved in the development of inflammatory bowel disease. Now, there are over 250.


Lee and Vinuesa are pursuing these kinds of research because they want to learn more about how genetic pathways function and the causes of the various diseases that doctors are currently looking into. Vinuesa said that there are numerous variations of autoimmune diseases, such as Lupus. It is crucial to recognize that this has consequences in determining the correct treatment.


There are numerous effective new therapies in development, we don't yet know what people they ought to be given to. This is due to the fact that we aren't able to pinpoint the precise nature of their condition. This is an important aspect in the field of autoimmune research. It is essential to understand how to group and stratify patients so we can give them the right therapy.


Lee stated that the growing incidence of autoimmune diseases around the world meant that new treatment and drugs were needed urgently. It's impossible to treat autoimmune illnesses. This is especially true when young people are trying to finish their education or get their first job and have families.


It means many more people will need surgeryor have to undergo regular injections for the rest their lives. This can be very difficult for patients, and put a massive pressure on healthcare. It is urgent that we find new treatment options that are more efficient and effective.


Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune-mediated disorder. We don't know what triggers it.


Your immune system normally makes antibodies that fight arthritis rheumatoid arthritis bacteria and viruses, helping to fight infection.


If you have Rheumatoid Arthritis the immune system sends antibodies into your joints' lining, where they target the tissues around them.


The delicate layer of cells (synovium), that covers your joints, gets inflamed and Read More swollen.


bones

Cartilage, the connective tissue between bones.

Tendons - connects muscle to bone

Ligaments – The tissue connecting cartilage and bone

If rheumatoid arthritis is not treated, these chemicals gradually make the joint lose its shape and alignment. The end result can be irreparable.


There are a myriad of theories on why the immune system attacks your joints, including the possibility that an infection could be an trigger. But none of these theories has been proven to be true.

Possible risk factors

You could be at greater risk of developing rheumatoidarthritis If you don't take the steps listed below:


Your genes - Some evidence suggests that rheumatoid arthritis can be passed down in families. It is unlikely that you'll inherit the disease. Genetics are believed to play only a minor role in it.

Hormone-Rheumatoid Ailment is more frequent for women than men. This could be due to the estrogen effects, but this isn't confirmed.

Smoking cigarettes - There is evidence that smoking increases the likelihood of developing rheumatoidarthritis.