Rheumatoid arthritis could be triggered by a bacteria in the gums (Glaesserella parasuis) which would induce improper immune reactions on the part of the organism. Disclosure on Frontiers in Medicine, the discovery is due to researchers from the Gemelli Polyclinic Foundation and Catholic University and could lead to the development of a vaccine or antibiotic-based preventive therapies for people at risk. In fact, the study shows that Glaesserella is “recognized” 7 by the same immune cells (T lymphocytes), which attack type 2 collagen in the joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
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“La Glaesserella – he explains Francesco Ria – it is recognized as an enemy by the same cells of the immune system that are unleashed against the joints in rheumatoid arthritis. The immune system, for hitherto unknown reasons, recognizes a ‘piece’ (peptide) of the collagen protein as an enemy, unleashing an autoimmune attack against it. “The trigger could be pressed precisely by the bacteria in the oral cavity. In fact, he explains Gabriele Di Sante, first author of the work, the same T cells that are activated against type 2 collagen are also activated in response to the bacterium, recognizing as an enemy a sequence of 9 amino acids present both in type 2 collagen and in a similar peptide derived from the bacterium. Furthermore, the presence of the DNA of this bacterium was found in 57.4% of the gums of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (against 31.6% of controls). In addition, in the presence of Glaesserella parasuis, the T cells become more aggressive “.
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“The presence of these specialized T cells – he says Elisa Gremese – it also identifies a population of patients with a more severe form of the disease resistant to conventional therapy “.
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“The practical effects suggested by this work – concludes Gremese – are essentially two. A vaccination strategy against Glaesserella in the first decade of life and / or careful prevention of reinfections through antibiotic therapy could help prevent rheumatoid arthritis, making it less severe the course and perhaps to bring patients back to respond to traditional treatments. This could revolutionize the future of rheumatoid arthritis “.
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