Philippe Bouillet and Derek Lacey, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (IMAGE)

Walter and Eliza Hall Institute

Philippe Bouillet and Derek Lacey, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute

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<p>Australian researchers have used models to identify a potential link between excess production of inflammatory proteins that cause rheumatoid arthritis and the development of heart valve disease. <p>The team, led by Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researcher Dr. Philippe Bouillet, Dr. Derek Lacey and colleagues, discovered that a critical inflammatory protein (tumor necrosis factor) involved in rheumatoid arthritis could also lead to inflammation and disease of the heart valves, including aneurysms. <p>The research could lead to improved treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, and suggests investigating existing medicines that dampen inflammation to treat heart valve diseases, such as rheumatic heart disease.

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Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

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