Arthritis
Group Leader: Dr Jacquie Harper
Arthritis literally means "inflammation of a joint" and it is the single greatest cause of disability in this country (Arthritis New Zealand).
There are more than 140 different types of arthritis affecting people of all ages - from babies and toddlers, through to teenagers and the elderly.
Gout is one of the most common forms of arthritis. It is caused by the build-up of uric acid crystals (MSU) in the joints, resulting in intense pain, swelling and reddening of the skin.
In New Zealand the prevalence of gout is twice that observed internationally and it is three times more prevalent in Māori and Pacific Island populations. Many individuals suffer from refractory disease or fail to respond to current therapies leading to high morbidity and poor disease management. Improved prognosis and alternative treatments are required to rectify this situation.
The main focus of the Arthritis & Inflammation Research Group is to advance our understanding of the cellular processes involved in MSU-induced inflammation with the goal of identifying therapeutic targets and new markers of disease progression for gouty arthritis.
