Dr. Jose Scher Awarded Rheumatoid Arthritis Fellowship Grant from N.Y. Chapter of Arthritis Foundation
Dr. Jose Scher was awarded a Rheumatoid Arthritis Fellowship Grant from the N.Y. Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation to study TH17 cells and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A possible molecular link between smoking and disease.
Jose Scher, MD
Jose Scher, MD
Research Synopsis:
My research has focused on the contribution of T-cell lymphocytes to the development of Rheumatoid Arthritis. These white blood cells are typically responsible for the defense of our body against microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria. However, a malfunction of our immune system might lead to the development of autoimmunity, a pathologic state by which our white blood cells do not recognize certain tissues as self and attack them leading to inflammation and destruction. There are different types of lymphocytes, some are prevent inflammation and others induce it. TH17 cells are pro-inflammatory T-cells that have recently been shown to be involved in Rheumatoid Arthritis. At the same time, an association with the habit of smoking and the development of Rheumatoid Arthritis has been clearly established in epidemiological studies. What is the molecular explanation that links those two facts has been intriguing.
The clue I am following is related to the fact that cigarettes contain high amounts of dioxin, a toxic substance that activates a cellular receptor in TH17 cells, called aryl-hydrocarbon receptor. We think that a people that smoke introduce dioxin into TH17 cells which in turn are activated to induce inflammation in the joints.