Joints Born Vulnerable to Arthritis | Science News

Science News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Sep 5, 2026 · 1m

Your joints might be predisposed to rheumatoid arthritis before you’re born—new research reveals that specific cells called PI16-positive fibroblasts, present from birth, could be priming certain joints for inflammation later in life. These cells, found in higher numbers in joints prone to the disease, differ structurally and respond uniquely to inflammatory signals, offering a potential explanation for why some joints are repeatedly targeted while others remain untouched. This groundbreaking discovery shifts focus to fetal development as a key factor in autoimmune risk, opening doors to new…