Rheumatoid Awareness Day 2023: Researchers Make New Breakthrough in Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment
In the study on osteoblasts that damage joint bones in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the research team studied the possibility of a treatment method targeting mechanisms related to the differentiation process of osteoblasts that melt bones through enzyme reactions.
A research team led by Professor Sung Ho Park in the Department of Biological Sciences at UNIST announced the results of a study on osteoblasts that damage joint bones in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In this study, the research team studied the possibility of a treatment method targeting mechanisms related to the differentiation process of osteoblasts that melt bones through enzyme reactions. First, it was confirmed that a super-enhancer is formed near the NFATC1 gene, which is known to be an important factor in the formation of osteoblasts, and it is formed only in osteoblasts. When Is Rheumatoid Awareness Day 2023? History, Significance and Everything To Know About This Important Day Creating Awareness About Rheumatoid Arthritis.
In addition, it was confirmed that an enhancer RNA, a type of non-encrypted RNA, is formed in the NFATC1 superinhancer during osteoblastic cell formation. Non-encrypted RNA does not encode proteins but plays an important role in regulating gene expression. In particular, due to the specificity of the molecular sequence, it can be easily targeted for treatment. In fact, it was observed that interfering with NFATC1 superinhancer RNA inhibits the formation of osteoblasts together.
Through this study, it has been confirmed that NFATC1 super-in-hander RNA, which is formed during osteoblast differentiation, can be used as a treatment target. "[O]ur study is the first to identify SEs and SE-eRNAs in human osteoclasts and provides a better understanding of human osteoclast biology, thereby opening new therapeutic avenues for human pathological bone destruction," noted the research team.