Immune System Aging as a Potential Cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis
New research suggests that immune system aging may be a key factor in the development of rheumatoid arthritis, opening avenues for early prediction and preventative treatments.
Recent research indicates that the aging of the immune system may play a fundamental role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), rather than being merely a consequence of the disease. A study conducted by scientists at the University of Birmingham and published in the journal eBioMedicine reveals that features of immune aging can be detected in individuals at the earliest stages of RA, even before clinical diagnosis. This discovery offers hope for early intervention and prevention strategies.
The study analyzed 224 participants across various stages of RA development and found that signs of premature immune aging were already present in those experiencing joint pain or undifferentiated arthritis—early symptoms that typically precede full-blown RA. Notably, patients displaying early immune aging markers were more likely to develop RA, suggesting that immune aging may directly contribute to the disease process.
Key immune aging features such as reduced naïve T cells, diminished thymic output, and elevated inflammatory markers like IL-6, TNFα, and CRP were observed in individuals with early symptoms. Interestingly, classic aging features, including senescent T cells and inflammatory Th17 cells, predominantly appeared after RA was fully established. These findings imply that targeting aging pathways, such as promoting autophagy to clear damaged cells or using geroprotective drugs like spermidine, senolytics, and metformin, could potentially prevent or delay the onset of RA in high-risk individuals.
Dr. Niharika Duggal, the senior author of the study, emphasized that immune aging might be a driver of RA rather than a byproduct, highlighting the possibility of intercepting the disease early through therapies aimed at slowing immune system aging. The research paves the way for future developments in predictive tools and targeted treatments aimed at delaying or preventing rheumatoid arthritis.
Source: medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-immune-aging-driver-rheumatoid-arthritis
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