Researchers from Queen Mary University of London have found that the molecule RvT4 enhances the body’s natural defenses against atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Studies in mice undertaken by researchers from Queen Mary University of London’s William Harvey Research Institute and Center for Inflammation and Therapeutic Innovation show that increasing levels of the RvT4 molecule in the body improves the ability of the body’s own defense mechanisms (macrophages) to reduce local inflammation and remove blockages in blood vessels. This breakthrough in understanding the processes involved could lead to better treatments for people who have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and who are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in the UK and affects around 1% of the population. Approximately 10,000 people receive a diagnosis of RA every year. Alongside the more widely-known symptoms of joint inflammation, people with the condition are also twice as likely as others to develop blood vessel disease. This can lead to serious complications and an increased risk of premature death.