A new study led by scientists at the University of Colorado has found that a specific type of bacteria in the gut might play a key role in triggering rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in people who are already at risk for the disease. This discovery could help doctors find new ways to prevent or treat RA before it causes serious joint damage.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition where the immune system, which normally protects the body, mistakenly attacks the joints. This causes painful swelling, stiffness, and damage to the bones and tissues.
RA can affect people of all ages but is most common in middle-aged women. While there is no cure, early treatment can help reduce symptoms and slow down the disease.
In this study, researchers wanted to understand what might cause the immune system to start attacking the body in the first place. They looked at people who didn’t yet have RA but were already showing early signs of risk. These people had certain antibodies in their blood—proteins made by the immune system that can signal the body is starting to fight against itself.
To learn more, the scientists took blood samples and feces (poop samples) from these individuals. They combined the antibodies from the blood with bacteria from the gut to see which bacteria were being targeted by the immune system. This helped them identify a unique kind of gut bacteria that seemed to trigger an immune response linked to RA.
Next, they tested this bacteria in mice. The mice developed the same blood markers seen in people at risk for RA. In some mice, the bacteria even led to full-blown rheumatoid arthritis. The researchers also found that only people with RA had immune cells (called T cells) that reacted strongly to this bacteria, while healthy individuals did not.
This suggests that the gut bacteria might be acting like a “switch,” turning on the immune system in a way that eventually causes RA in those who are vulnerable. If scientists can confirm this link, it could lead to a way to stop RA before it begins—possibly by using medication to remove or change the harmful bacteria in the gut.
The research took five years and was made possible by the help of volunteers who knew they were at risk for RA and agreed to take part. The scientists believe this work is a major step toward preventing RA and developing new treatments that stop the disease before it causes permanent joint damage.
Although the study brings hope, more research is needed to understand exactly how the bacteria triggers the immune system and how to block this process safely. The team hopes that their findings will one day help people avoid the pain and long-term effects of rheumatoid arthritis.
The study was conducted by Kristine Kuhn and her team and published in Science Translational Medicine.
For people who want to lower their chances of getting RA or prevent it from getting worse, doctors recommend a few important habits: staying active with low-impact exercises like walking or swimming, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, avoiding smoking, managing stress, and getting enough sleep.
In some cases, people at higher risk may benefit from taking preventive medications, but this should always be discussed with a doctor.
If you notice ongoing joint pain or stiffness, especially in the morning, it’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider. Early treatment makes a big difference in managing rheumatoid arthritis and protecting your joints for the future.
If you care about pain, please read studies about how to manage gout with a low-purine diet, and a guide to eating right for arthritis.
For more health information, please see recent studies about the link between processed foods and chronic diseases, and avoid these 8 foods to ease arthritis pain.
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