Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes painful joint inflammation and damage. While current treatments can slow its progression, they often fall short in preventing flare-ups or stopping the disease from developing in people at risk. Now, researchers have developed a promising new approach using specially designed nanoparticles that may help prevent RA from starting and reduce the severity of flare-ups.
The nanoparticles, called Agg-CLNP, are made from biodegradable polymers and loaded with calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D3. They’re also coated with a protein fragment from aggrecan—a molecule found in joint cartilage that the immune system mistakenly attacks in RA. This design helps the nanoparticles target and calm the immune cells responsible for triggering inflammation.
In lab tests using blood samples from people with and without RA, the nanoparticles reduced the activity of dendritic cells, which play a key role in initiating immune responses. In mouse models, the treatment delayed the onset of RA when given early and reduced joint swelling and damage when combined with an existing RA drug called abatacept. It also helped maintain symptom relief after steroid treatment, suggesting it could extend the time between flare-ups.
Importantly, the therapy doesn’t suppress the entire immune system, which means it may avoid some of the side effects seen with current treatments. If future studies confirm its safety and effectiveness in humans, Agg-CLNP could offer a new way to prevent RA in high-risk individuals and help those with the disease stay symptom-free longer.
Article from the American Chemical Society: Nanoparticles for rheumatoid arthritis prevention, flare control
Abstract in ACS Nano: ARTICLENovember 28, 2023 Immunomodulatory Nanoparticles for Modulating Arthritis Flares
