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The joint pain and inflammation
associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) occur when the body’s immune system malfunctions.
Under normal conditions, the immune system fights unwanted invaders such as viruses
and bacteria, but in RA the immune system also attacks healthy joint tissue.
As a result of this inappropriate immune response, white blood cells travel to the
joint, producing certain proteins, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)
and interleukin-1, that, over time, can signal cells to attack healthy tissue and
cause ongoing destruction of cartilage, bone, and other joint-related tissues.
Studies have shown that the joint damage from RA can begin to occur within the first
12 months, which is why early diagnosis and treatment is crucial.
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The animation shows a joint broken down by RA. In joints with RA, white blood
cells enter the synovial space and produce cytokines, which contribute to the pain,
inflammation and damage to cartilage, bone, and other tissues.
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