Gene expressions may help understanding of JIA, experts say

03 Jul 2009 - Posted by the Editorial Team

Scientists working at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), US, have announced a new genetic discovery that could lead to improved treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Currently, physicians are only able to make imprecise diagnoses of the condition, usually through observing the otherwise-unexplained presence of joint inflammation for at least six weeks.

However, the NIAMS team has now reported that, after making use of gene expression technology to look at the genetic patterns of a number of children, they have moved a step closer to developing a full appreciation of JIA.

The scientists found patterns of gene expression that indicated at least three subgroups of polyarthritis, with older sufferers tending to have an inflammatory gene expression similar to that of adults with rheumatoid arthritis.

"We analyzed gene expression patterns in blood cells and found that we could indeed distinguish the major subtypes of JIA," said Dr Robert Colbert of NIAMS.

"Many of the genes whose expression is altered function in the immune system. This means that not only is there immune activation, but it differs depending on the subtype of JIA that is present."

JIA is the most common form of persistent arthritis within children.

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