New drug ‘blindfolds’ T-cells

A DRUG that “blindfolds” white blood cells could provide a new way of treating rheumatoid arthritis, new research has shown.

The drug stops the destructive cells migrating to the joints, where they cause the damage associated with the disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease in which elements of the immune system attack the body. White blood cells called T-cells are key players in the process.

• The study, funded by Arthritis Research UK, is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.