Alpha-1 Antitrypsin and Doxycycline Suppress Arthritic Changes in Mouse Model

University of Florida scientists were able to reduce development and progression of rheumatoid arthritis in an experimental mouse model by injecting an adeno-associated virus vector that expresses human alpha-1 antitrypsin (hAAT) together with a diet containing the drug doxycycline. Control group mice received doxycycline alone or saline. Animals that received combined hAAT gene therapy and doxycycline (a tetracycline-like antibiotic) had reduced macroscopic and histopathological changes in the joints in relation to the control groups.

Additionally, the hAAT/doxycycline combination inhibited interleukin-6 expression in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated NIH/3T3 mouse fibroblast cells, suggesting a contributing mechanism of arthritis inhibition. The investigators concluded that “a combination therapy using AAT and doxycycline holds promising potential as a new therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.”