489 | id == 489
489 | category_id == 28
489 | category_order == 25
489 | category_name == Joint Inflammation
489 | category_color == #C47AC0
489 | slug == CTLA4-rheumatoid-arthritis
489 | title == An Immune Checkpoint & Its Role in Rheumatoid Arthritis (CTLA4)
489 | meta_description == CTLA4 helps suppress immune cell activity. Variants of CTLA4 have been associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Read more here.
489 | summary == <p style="text-align:justify"><strong><em>CTLA4 </em>codes for a protein that helps suppress the activity of&nbsp;immune cells. Read more to learn about how variants of <em>CTLA4 </em>may increase the risk of rheumatoid arthritis.&nbsp;</strong></p>
489 | overall_score_text == Your Rheumatoid Arthritis Score (based on CTLA4 gene)
489 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/CTLA4-Rheumatoid-arthritis.jpg
489 | author_id == 14
489 | author_name == Shany Lahan
489 | author_title == MS (Neuroscience)
489 | author_order == 5
489 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Shany.webp
489 | author_intro == <p>Shany received her MSc in Neuroscience from Western University.</p>    <p>Prior to joining SelfDecode, Shany conducted research related to Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease, and taught science to undergraduate students. She believes that research should be accessible to everyone, regardless of scientific background. Shany joined SelfDecode&nbsp;with a mission to help others optimize their health and wellbeing &ndash; as well as help them understand the science behind it all.</p>
489 | reviewer == None
489 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
489 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
489 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
489 | publish_date == 2020
489 | publish_date == 11
489 | publish_date == 18
489 | avg_rating == 5.0
489 | tags_id == 926
489 | tags_name == Autoantibodies
489 | tags_id == 33
489 | tags_name == Autoimmunity
489 | tags_id == 226
489 | tags_name == CTLA4 gene
489 | tags_id == 952
489 | tags_name == Immune Checkpoint
489 | tags_id == 24
489 | tags_name == Inflammation
489 | tags_id == 442
489 | tags_name == T Cells
489 | tags_id == 104
489 | tags_name == Tregs
489 | permissions_favorite == False
489 | permissions_rate == False
489 | content_article == <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Summary</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">CTLA4 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">gene codes for a protein that suppresses the activity of immune cells. Variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">CTLA4 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">may play a role in rheumatoid arthritis by decreasing activity or production of CTLA-4. Lifestyle, diet, and supplement modifications may counteract the effects of these variants by increasing CTLA-4 production.</span></span></p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>CTLA4</em></strong><strong> and Rheumatoid Arthritis</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Immune cells employ &ldquo;checkpoints&rdquo; -- proteins that regulate components of the immune system -- to prevent inaccurate targeting or excess activation of the immune response [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7584144/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">An example of an immune checkpoint is the receptor CTLA-4. When activated, CTLA-4 sends a signal that prevents or stops </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/lymphocytes/#Types_of_Lymphocytes"><span style="font-weight: 400;">T cell</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> activity [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/1493"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7584144/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">CTLA-4 may be necessary for the development of </span><a href="https://selfhack.com/blog/treg/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">regulatory T cells</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (</span><a href="https://selfhack.com/blog/treg/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tregs</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">). Tregs are involved in suppressing the formation of autoantibodies, or antibodies that recognize the body&rsquo;s own tissues. In this manner, Tregs may function to prevent rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9558090/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3374037/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3342324/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15838509/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">CTLA-4 is also required to suppress the growth and activity of T cells that release inflammatory proteins [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23340277/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19930661/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Variants of </span><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/ctla4/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">CTLA4</span></em></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">have been associated with rheumatoid arthritis. These variants may lower the activity or production of CTLA-4, which may result in the production of autoantibodies and inflammatory proteins [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/1493"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3944098/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://europepmc.org/article/med/30423114"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4467986/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3605761/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://europepmc.org/article/med/23143596"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <h2 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Your </strong><strong><em>CTLA4 </em></strong><strong>Results for Rheumatoid Arthritis</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;">*6674385419772875*</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Primary SNP:</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>CTLA4 </em></strong><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs3087243/https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs3087243/"><strong>rs3087243</strong></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">[</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3944098/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://europepmc.org/article/med/30423114"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4467986/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3605761/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = Higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis, relative to &lsquo;A&rsquo;</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; = Lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis, relative to &lsquo;G&rsquo;</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Other Important SNP:</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>CTLA4 </em></strong><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs11571302/"><strong>rs11571302</strong></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://europepmc.org/article/med/23143596"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = Higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis, relative to &lsquo;T&rsquo;</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = Lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis, relative to &lsquo;G&rsquo;</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;">*1760762989790565*</p> <h2 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Recommendations for Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;">*5432982715657702*</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Lifestyle</strong></h3> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Sun Exposure (Vitamin D)</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/avoiding-sun-will-kill-14-proven-science-based-health-benefits-sun/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">sun</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is the best source of </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/35proven-health-benefits-vitamin-d-part-1/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">vitamin D</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Multiple studies have demonstrated that vitamin D may increase the production of CTLA-4, as well as promote the development of regulatory immune cells [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26134669/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31379807/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31731231/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31824622/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vitamin D deficiency is more common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis than in the general population [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3539179/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A study of nurses found that those with greater exposure to UVB rays from the sun had the lowest rates of rheumatoid arthritis. Another study found that people who live further from the equator (who are likely to be exposed to less sunlight on average) are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3678095/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2920915/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to multiple studies, people with a higher intake of vitamin D appear less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis. However, there are conflicting reports on whether supplementing with vitamin D can improve pain in existing rheumatoid arthritis cases [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14730601/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5466211/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22004229/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">The sun is the best source of vitamin D. Vitamin D may help manage rheumatoid arthritis by increasing production of CTLA-4 and promoting the development of regulatory immune cells.&nbsp;</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Diet</strong></h3> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Increased Omega-3 Intake</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/top-22-science-based-health-benefits-of-fish-oil/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Omega-3</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> fatty acids (including EPA and DHA) were reported to increase the production of CTLA-4 and increase the number of Tregs in multiple mouse studies [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19561360/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16221546/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Interestingly, one study of mice fed an omega-3-rich diet reported a decrease in CTLA-4 -- despite observing lower levels of autoantibodies and inflammatory markers [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24945254/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Studies suggest that increased dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids may protect against rheumatoid arthritis. In a meta-analysis of 20 clinical trials, higher omega-3 consumption improved rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and lab markers [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5634864/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28965775/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Good dietary omega-3 sources include [</span><a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]:</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fish and seafood</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/flaxseed-oil-benefits/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Flaxseed</span></a></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Chia seeds</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Walnuts</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/hemp-seeds/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hemp seeds</span></a></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Increasing omega-3 intake may help manage rheumatoid arthritis by increasing production of CTLA-4, boosting Tregs, reducing autoantibodies, and decreasing levels of inflammatory markers.</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Supplements</strong></h3> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Fish Oil&nbsp;</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Individuals who don&rsquo;t get enough omega-3 in their diet may choose to supplement with </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/top-22-science-based-health-benefits-of-fish-oil/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">fish oil</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Fish oil may lower the activity of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12480795"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11802309"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A meta-analysis of 17 trials found that supplemental fish oil reduced inflammatory joint </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/pain-management/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">pain</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> from rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17335973"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In one study of 250 patients, fish oil was as effective as ibuprofen in reducing pain caused by arthritis [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16531187"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Resolvins found in EPA and DHA appear to prevent certain inflammatory proteins from inducing pain [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20383154/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to a study of immune cells, DHA may increase the production of CTLA-4 [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26619195/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Fish oil may help manage rheumatoid arthritis by increasing CTLA-4 production. </span></p>
489 | content_snp_table_6674385419772875_key == 6674385419772875
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489 | content_snp_table_6674385419772875_hidden == False
489 | content_learn_more_1760762989790565_key == 1760762989790565
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489 | content_learn_more_1760762989790565_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your CTLA4 gene makes you somewhat more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis. However, this doesn't necessarily reflect your overall risk of rheumatoid arthritis; it’s just one gene related to it. Getting moderate sun exposure, increasing omega-3 intake, and taking fish oil supplements may help. Keep scrolling to find out more.
489 | content_recommendation_5432982715657702_key == 5432982715657702
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rsIDs = rs3087243,rs11571302
rsStatus = rs3087243,CTLA4,chr2,203874196,G,A,T,,20,13,HET
rsStatus = rs11571302,,chr2,203878211,G,A,T,,50,0,Normal
