Targeted small molecule alleviates arthritis symptoms in mice

Researchers at the University of Helsinki, together with researchers from the United States, have discovered a small molecule that inhibits the formation in cells of cytokine proteins that promote inflammation. The mechanism is based on the fact that the small molecule blocks the secretion of cytokines entirely. By inhibiting a target protein known as Sec61, the researchers successfully alleviated symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in a mouse model.