Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Generation of Induced-pluripotent Stem Cells Using Fibroblast-like Synoviocytes Isolated from Joints of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Published on: October 16, 2016
Gene therapy for rheumatoid arthritis
J N Gouze1, S C Ghivizzani, E Gouze
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Abstract:
Advances in understanding the biology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have opened new therapeutic avenues. One of these, gene therapy, involves the delivery to patients of genes encoding anti-arthritic proteins. This approach has shown efficacy in animal models of RA, and the first human, phase I trial has just been successfully completed. Hand surgery featured prominently in this pioneering study, as a potentially anti-arthritic gene encoding the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist was transferred to the metacarpophalangeal joints of subjects with RA one week before total joint arthroplasty. This study has confirmed that it is possible to transfer genes safely to human joints. It should pave the way for additional application of gene therapy to arthritis and other orthopaedic conditions.
Related Concept Videos
Gene Therapy
Gene Therapy
Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF

