Study: New Artificial Protein May Yield New Therapies for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Researchers have developed and verified the potential benefits of a new artificial protein that could translate into new therapies for people with rheumatoid arthritis, according to a study reported in the September 25 issue of Science.

The new lab-created protein was successful in mice infected with rheumatoid arthritis in blocking the activation of a protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which regulates inflammation.

Researchers at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center tested and validated the proteins, which were created by California-based biotechnology company Xencor.

"What we've engineered are variant proteins that are very similar to the protein that the body expresses on its own, which makes it less likely that the body will see it as foreign," said study author Dr. Malú Tansey, assistant professor of physiology at the university.

Three drugs are currently available for blocking the activation of TNF. Although these drugs have been shown to be effective in decreasing the pain associated with the disease and in some cases joint destruction, some patients develop antibodies against the drugs.

Tansey predicted that the human body would not form antibodies against the new TNF variants because they "are virtually identical to native TNF."

These new TNF variants are currently in preclinical development at Xencor. Tansey said they may also be useful in blocking inflammation in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Dr. David Karp, chief of rheumatic diseases and associate director of the Harold C. Simmons Arthritis Research Center, said the findings provide a "promising new avenue" for physicians who treat rheumatoid arthritis.

"This is a very novel approach; one that has not been looked at by other investigators," Karp said. "This family of proteins is not only implicated in the painful inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis, but also the joint destruction that accompanies the disease."

Other sources: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center