Rheumatic Diseases Unit
Introduction
Welcome to the website of the Rheumatic Diseases Unit at the University of Edinburgh. We are part of the School of Molecular and Clinical Medicine and are based at the Molecular Medicine Centre at the Western General Hospital. Research activities of the group are supported by several including the Arthritis & Rheumatism Council, the MRC, the Wellcome Trust and the European Commission. Current research interests include studies on the causes and treatment of several bone and joint diseases including osteoporosis, Paget's disease of Bone and inflammatory arthritis. Clinically qualified staff within the unit contribute to the Rheumatology service within NHS Lothian and the head of the unit, Professor Stuart Ralston, is lead clinician for the Lothian Fracture Liasion Service and direct-access DEXA service.
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Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a multifactorial condition which can be caused by several factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking and excessive alcohol intake. One of the most important factors is heredity, which is a major focus of our research in this area. We have also recently identified a novel mechanism of osteoporosis in which patients with autoimmune diseases develop antibodies which neutralise the effect of a key protein in bone which protects against bone loss. |
Paget's Disease Genetic factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of Paget's disease and mutations in four genes have now been identified that cause Paget's disease and related syndromes. Research within the unit involving Professor Stuart Ralston, Dr Omar Albagha, Dr Anna Daroszewska, and staff in the Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit (www.clinicaltrials.ed.ac.uk ) focuses on the mechanisms by which these genes cause Paget’s disease, on the identification of new genetic variants that predispose to the disease and on developing improved strategies for the prevention and treatment of Paget’s disease. |
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Bone Cell Biology The aim of this programme is to gain better understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms which regulate bone cell activity and bone remodelling so that we can develop better treatments for bone disease. Two main programmes of research are in progress; one on the role of Nitric Oxide and bone, and the other on the role that endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors play in the regulation of bone mass and bone remodelling. |
Inflammatory Arthritis The research programme on the pathogenesis and management of inflammatory arthritis is jointly led by Dr Mohini Gray and Dr Rob van’t Hof. Dr Gray’s work focuses on the regulatory role that apoptotic cells play in the pathogenesis of arthritis, whereas Dr Van’t Hof is working on the development of novel anti inflammatory drugs for the treatment of arthritis. |
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Gout Gout is the commonest form of inflammatory arthritis in men. Our research explores the role of the recently identified urate transporter SLC2A9 in the pathogenesis of hyperuricaemia and gout. |
