Scientists develop compounds that can halt arthritis spread

Researchers from University of Queensland have developed experimental compounds that block the stimulation process in which human enzymes, proteases increase the levels of immune cells leading to inflammation.

"Human enzymes called proteases stimulate the secretion of immune cells that, when the correct amount is released, play important roles in digestion, fighting infections and healing wounds," Professor Fairlie from Queensland's Institute for Molecular Bioscience said in a statement.

"But in chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, these enzymes continuously stimulate the release of immune cells, which cause inflammation when present at high levels. This leads to ongoing tissue damage," Fairlie said.

Fairlie and his team have developed experimental compounds that block this stimulation and successfully reduce chronic inflammatory arthritis in experimental models.

The study was published in the Federation of American Societies For Experimental Biology Journal.