Scientists identify reversible molecular defect underlying rheumatoid arthritis

[Mij]

A study led by Cornelia Weyand at Stanford found that shutting down a faulty molecular mechanism in mice could curb the damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
“Like all cells, T cells contain AMPK, a regulatory molecule that senses ratios of ATP and its two main breakdown products. If it finds ATP too outnumbered by these breakdown products, AMPK clamps down on the T cell’s cell-building program and, instead, sends glucose off to the cell’s ATP-generating apparatus.”

A faulty AMPK mechanism switches also applies to ME.

@Jonathan Edwards

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

Only problem is that mice don't have rheumatoid arthritis. Weyand has been droning on about irrelevances in T cells for thirty years.

It is extraordinary how little people learn over a lifetime when they have fixed ideas - which in this case go back to old chestnuts from the 1980s. It's not surprising solving Brexit is getting nowhere and solving climate change is getting nowhere and solving overpopulation is getting nowhere. Nobody seems to be capable of evaluating ideas - just believing.

Rant over.

 

[Wonko]

You're looking at a climate change solution the wrong way.

Very shortly, if people are to be believed, the climate change problem will be solved. The problem of how to prevent the climate becoming uninhabitable will be solved and no longer a problem.

Admittedly the solution we seem to have arrived at has drawbacks, but not knowing how to solve climate change - that will not be amongst them, at least for an ever decreasing number of people.

I would suggest they have chosen essentially the same problem solving method, and thus solution, for brexit.

I have no idea about T cells, but can the same solution not be applied there? I think we should, all, get together and talk about it, for several months, somewhere not too hot, nowhere near europe, and at least a few hundred feet above sea level

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

I have no idea about T cells, but can the same solution not be applied there? I think we should, all, get together and talk about it, for several months, somewhere not too hot, nowhere near europe, and at least a few hundred feet above sea level

Lake Atitlan would be the place - in Guatemala. A few thousand feet up, some nice volcanos all round (a few spewing lava), a nice lake to swim in, good food, warm mountain air. No real need to talk about T cells though.

.

 

[Sly Saint]

Artificial sweetener might ease symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis - new research

New research suggests that sucralose, the basis for artificial sweeteners, prevents cells from attacking healthy body tissue. Senior author, Professor Karen Vousden of the Francis Crick Institute in London, commented on the rationale of the study. "We're hoping to piece together a bigger picture of the effects of diet on health and disease," said Professor Vousden.

The mice model shows that large amounts of sucralose lowered the activation of T-cells that fight diseases and infections.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder whereby the overactive immune system attacks healthy cells.

Professor Vousden added: "More research and studies are needed to see whether these effects of sucralose in mice can be reproduced in humans.

"If these initial findings hold up in people, they could one day offer a way to limit some of the harmful effects of autoimmune conditions."

Artificial sweetener might ease symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis - new research (msn.com)

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

Maybe Dr Vousden has not read the literature that shows that almost complete wiping out of T cells for a period of many years with a monoclonal antibody (CAMPATH 1H)had no useful effect on human rheumatoid arthritis.

The problem with medical research these days is the complete ignorance about the clinically relevant literature on the part of investigators. PWME have good reason to be cynical about the UK MRC when researchers at the Crick Institute are coming out with howlers like this. They have learnt nothing from the last forty years' literature.

 

[Kitty]

The mice model shows that large amounts of sucralose lowered the activation of T-cells that fight diseases and infections.

Professor Vousden added: "More research and studies are needed to see whether these effects of sucralose in mice can be reproduced in humans.

Already got my good ear cocked for sound of professorial head being banged against wall!

 

[Kitty]

...and I missed it!

 

[Ariel]

These poor mice. A waste. Can there not be a higher standard to be able to do mouse etc studies?