Researchers have found that a naturally occurring peptide in the body may open the door to a safer and more effective treatment for arthritis, as it helps reduce swelling and inflammation without suppressing the immune system, unlike some current treatments.
The body naturally produces this peptide (called PEPITEM), which acts as a regulator of the immune response, limiting the migration of white blood cells to healthy tissues and preventing them from causing inflammation. In this way, it maintains the immune system's balance between fighting infection and preventing the body from attacking itself.
But in millions of people with arthritis, this mechanism is disrupted; the white blood cells in the joints lose their response to the signals that stimulate PEPITEM production, leading to a deficiency of it, and thus exacerbating inflammation and joint swelling.
Researchers from the UK and Italy suggest that compensating for this deficiency may help reduce pain and swelling, and may even limit bone damage that some current treatments cannot repair.
In animal trials, PEPITEM demonstrated similar efficacy to the arthritis drug infliximab in reducing inflammation, whether given before or after the onset of the disease.
Infliximab is a common biologic therapy that works by inhibiting an inflammatory protein called tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), which plays a key role in attacking joints in autoimmune diseases. However, this type of treatment can weaken the immune system as a whole, increasing the risk of serious infections.
In contrast, PEPITEM is distinguished by the fact that it does not suppress the immune system in general, but targets only harmful inflammation, and it also enhances the activity of immune cells that regulate the inflammatory response, which may make it a safer option.
The results also showed that PEPITEM levels were low in the affected joints, despite being present at normal or high levels in the blood, suggesting a possible problem with its delivery to the site of inflammation.
The study was conducted on blood samples from patients in the early stages of arthritis, including conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and psoriatic arthritis, and compared to samples from healthy individuals. Genetic analysis also revealed a decrease in the receptors for the hormone responsible for stimulating PEPITEM production in these patients.
The researchers then conducted experiments on mice using three different models of arthritis. In some cases, the peptide was given before symptoms appeared, and in others after swelling began, and the results were compared to standard treatments or a placebo.
Daily measurements of joint swelling and microscopic examinations showed that PEPITEM significantly reduced inflammation, decreased cartilage and bone erosion, and its results were close to the effect of "Infliximab", with the advantage of not suppressing the immune system.
According to the researchers, these findings could represent an important step towards developing a new treatment for arthritis, especially in its early stages, and perhaps contribute to slowing the progression of the disease rather than just alleviating its symptoms.
Researcher Helen McGetrick explains that this peptide has also shown potential to support bone health and improve bone strength, enhancing the prospects for its future use.
Inflammatory arthritis is a chronic disease that causes severe pain and stiffness in the joints, especially in the morning or after periods of rest. It may impede simple daily movements such as walking or using the hands, and it also leads to constant fatigue and psychological effects as a result of chronic pain and declining physical ability.
