Fibroblasts may prove an effective new target for treatments of rheumatoid arthritis, according to British researchers.
The Birmingham University researchers say they have found an "invasive" form of synovial fibroblast that may be mostly responsible for cartilage damage.
The research divided synovial fibroblasts in PDPN and CD248 types. And, the researchers say, it is PDPN fibroblasts that cause damage.
The research involved growing fibroblasts in an artificial synovium and then inserting it into laboratory mouse.
This showed that PDPN fibroblasts migrated to the layer closest to the cartilage while CD248 stayed furthest away.
It also showed that the activated cells could migrate through the body to attack other cartilage – but that PDPN cells were the first to travel.
Researcher Dr Adam Croft said: "This study not only shows the existence of distinct sub-sets of synovial fibroblasts, but also suggests that these cells are able to self-organise into lining and sub-lining layers in the presence of cartilage.
"Combined with the difference in migration rates between the two types of cell, these results are extremely promising in terms of finding new therapeutic targets for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis."
Source: University of Birmingham
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