Researchers explored the benefits of activating Free Fatty Acid Receptor 4 (FFA4) to reduce collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis (CIA).

The study, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, found that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) could be effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis.

An FFA4 agonist named compound A (CpdA) was used in mice with and without the Ffa4 gene.

CpdA suppressed arthritis symptoms, immune responses, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in Ffa4 WT mice, but not in KO mice.

Activation of FFA4 rebalanced Th1/Th17 and Treg cells, reducing inflammation and alleviating arthritis characteristics.

CpdA showed positive effects on synovial cells and dendritic cell activation, decreasing inflammatory immune responses.

The findings suggest that FFA4 activation through n-3 PUFAs and CpdA could be a promising adjuvant therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.