Rheumatoid Arthritis Lung Disease - Causes of Arthritis and Lung Problems

Rheumatoid Arthritis Lung Disease
physicsmail.org

Rheumatologists Find Molecular-Biology Signature of Lung Disease
February 1, 2005
In a new study, researchers found that "T" cells of the immune system are more abundant in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) lung disease. Those extra cells make proteins that cause inflammation in lung tissue. Knowing the types of cells involved helps doctors distinguish RA lung disease from other diseases, and develop appropriate courses of treatment.

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, as well as the surrounding tissue and other organs in the body. The immune system is designed to seek out and destroy foreign invaders to ward off infection and disease, but sometimes it targets the body's own tissues.

The immune system mistakenly releases cells called lymphocytes. These cells send chemical messengers to the joints, causing inflammation. The swelling and redness of the joint will prompt excess fluid to flow into the joint space, making motion painful. The inflamed cells also release an enzyme that can digest cartilage and bone.

So not only does the disease make tendons, ligaments and muscles in the joints hurt, but over time it can destroy cartilage, bone and ligaments, deforming the joint.

Having your joints fire up can also affect other organs in the body. For instance, the glands of the eyes and mouth can become inflamed, causing dryness, while inflammation around the heart can cause chest pain.

Nearly one-half of people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis develop some abnormal lung function, and one-fourth develop full-fledged lung disease, where the air sacs of the lungs and their supporting structures become so damaged by inflammation that they become scarred, so that the lungs can't function effectively. More rarely, the blood vessels can become inflamed, impairing blood supply to tissues.

Scientists still don't know what causes rheumatoid arthritis, but many believe people inherent a tendency to develop the disease, which can be triggered by bacterial or viral infections or environmental factors such as fungi. Seven out of ten people who have rheumatoid arthritis also have an inherited chemical marker on their cells.

About Discoveries and Breakthroughs Inside Science TV
What is DBIS?
Discoveries and Breakthroughs Inside Science (DBIS) is a syndicated science and engineering news service for local television newscasts.
Twelve 90-second segments are produced per month
Each segment is reviewed for scientific accuracy
DBIS features a broad range of topics in engineering, science, technology and mathematics.
Why does DBIS work?
Local TV news is the primary source of information for a majority of the US public (60% US public according to a Pew 2004 study)
44% of the US public cites TV news as their primary source of science and technology news (NSF 2004 Indicators)
Local TV news audience is less likely to have alternative sources of science news
DBIS reports on science, technology, engineering and math news – demonstrating the role of science and engineering in society, and in our daily lives
Who produces DBIS?
The American Institute of Physics in partnership with a coalition of scientific and engineering societies
The National Science Foundation
Ivanhoe Broadcast Network, Inc.
Where and when do DBIS segments play?
Local TV news programs all over the US subscribe to the newsfeed.
Segments play on local TV news shows.
NSF supports DBIS
Two segments each month are delivered in Spanish to 37 Spanish-language stations.
DBIS’s web component furnishes more information on the science and engineering behind the story.
A comprehensive evaluation plan analyzes the program's effectiveness.

© 2008 American Institute of Physics