Scientists find hidden immune ‘hubs’ that drive joint damage in arthritis

A team of scientists from Japan has identified hidden immune ‘hubs’ that drive joint damage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that affects millions worldwide and can have a devastating impact on patients’ lives. Yet, about one in three patients responds poorly to existing treatments.
The team from Kyoto University discovered that peripheral helper T cells (Tph cells) – a key type of immune cell involved in RA- exist in two forms: stem-like Tph cells and effector Tph cells. The stem-like Tph cells reside in immune “hubs” called tertiary lymphoid structures within inflamed joints, where they multiply and activate B cells.
Some of these then become effector Tph cells that leave the hubs and cause inflammation. This continuous supply of effector Tph cells may explain why inflammation persists in some patients despite treatment.
Targeting the stem-like Tph cells at their source could offer a new therapeutic strategy, bringing hope for more effective symptom relief and improved quality of life for patients living with RA, the team explained.
Building on their earlier work, which showed that Tph cells build up in the joints of patients with RA and contribute to inflammation, the team analysed immune cells from inflamed joint tissue and blood of people with RA using a comprehensive approach called multi-omics.
This combines different types of biological data to get a full picture of the dynamic behaviour of Tph cells in RA-affected joint tissue.
The results revealed that most stem-like Tph cells live inside these immune hubs, where they interact closely with B cells. (IANS)