Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yeyong Zhang, Shufeng Li, Feng Zhuo, Hongxing Wang, Xiubin Geng, Bing Xu, Luxu Yin, Huaqiang Sun, Xinfeng Yan
Summary: The study found reduced VDBP expression in the synovial tissue and fluid of RA patients, and both VDBP and 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibited the viability and promoted apoptosis of RASF. The combination of VDBP and 1,25(OH)2D3 had a synergistic effect on RASF viability and apoptosis.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Dongxiao Jiang, Shufei Ding, Zhujun Mao, Liyan You, Yeping Ruan
Summary: The research findings suggest that aloe-emodin may induce apoptosis of human colon cancer cells through mitochondria-related pathways.
CANCER CELL INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Si Wang, Jing Xu, Yuanxu Guo, Yongsong Cai, Xiaoyu Ren, Wenhua Zhu, Manman Geng, Liesu Meng, Congshan Jiang, Shemin Lu
Summary: Mounting evidence suggests that miRNAs, especially the miR-15/107 family, play a role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, miR-424 and miR-497 were found to be dysregulated in RA patients, with significant effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis of RASF. A proposed miR-424-DICER1-miR-497 feedback loop offers a novel insight into regulating miRNA expression and controlling RA.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Rheumatology
Renske C. F. Hebing, Marry Lin, Maja Bulatovic Calasan, Ittai B. Muller, Sohaila Mahmoud, Sandra Heil, Eduard A. Struys, Bart J. F. van den Bemt, Jos W. R. Twisk, Willem Lems, Michael T. Nurmohamed, Gerrit Jansen, Robert de Jonge
Summary: This study investigates the pharmacokinetics of methotrexate polyglutamate (MTX-PG) accumulation in red blood cells (RBCs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after oral and subcutaneous MTX treatment. The results show that there are disparate pharmacokinetic profiles between PBMCs and RBCs, with higher accumulation of MTX-PG in PBMCs. The distribution profile of MTX-PG in PBMCs remains constant over 6 months, while in RBCs, the main PG-moiety changes from MTX-PG(1) to MTX-PG(3).
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Maria Jose Alcaraz
Summary: Synovial cells, especially activated synovial fibroblasts, are key players in joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis. Identifying SF phenotypes, controlling epigenetic changes, and modulating cellular functions are promising approaches to develop novel therapeutic targets for preserving joint architecture and function in RA. Further research is needed to determine the most relevant targets for drug development.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Fusheng Hao, Li Tao, Junmei Liu, Yan Ma, Jin Zhang, Wen Wang, Wei Yan, Bo Wang, Xiaofei Wang, Xingyi Chen, Yingying Ma, Hongli Fan, Xi Zhao, Zhizhong Wang, Changcai Bai
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of Cynanchum komarovii (CK) extracts on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and investigated its anti-RA mechanism of action. In vitro experiments showed that CK extracts can regulate the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins and promote apoptosis in synovial cells. In vivo studies demonstrated that CK extracts can reduce levels of inflammatory factors and improve RA-related symptoms. These findings suggest that CK has significant anti-RA activity.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chiara Baggio, Roberto Luisetto, Carlotta Boscaro, Anna Scanu, Roberta Ramonda, Mattia Albiero, Paolo Sfriso, Francesca Oliviero
Summary: Genomic damage is associated with autoimmune processes, chronic inflammation, and apoptosis. The T cell compartment may exhibit overall genomic instability in certain rheumatological diseases. However, there is limited knowledge regarding leukocyte abnormalities in synovial fluid (SF) and their connection to inflammation. This study aimed to investigate cellular phenotypes in SF from patients with various inflammatory arthropathies. The results showed that inflammatory SF is associated with genomic instability and abnormal cell subsets.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Paul Studenic, Daniel Aletaha, Maarten de Wit, Tanja A. Stamm, Farideh Alasti, Diane Lacaille, Josef S. Smolen, David T. Felson
Summary: This study aimed to externally validate a revised Boolean remission criteria using a higher patient global assessment (PtGA) threshold and validate the provisionally endorsed index-based criteria. The results showed that using the higher PtGA threshold increased the proportion of patients classified as achieving remission under the "Boolean2.0" criteria, improved agreement with index-based criteria, and did not compromise predictive value for radiographic or functional outcomes. The study findings were endorsed by ACR and EULAR.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ran Deng, Yan Wang, Yanhong Bu, Hong Wu
Summary: RA-FLSs showed better cell survival under hypoxia compared to OA-FLSs, which was attributed to higher BNIP3 expression leading to enhanced mitophagy. This study highlighted the importance of mitophagy in maintaining redox balance and promoting cell survival in hypoxic conditions.
MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bin Zhao, Lingting Zeng, Danyang Chen, Songqing Xie, Zhaokui Jin, Guanglin Li, Wei Tang, Qianjun He
Summary: This study proposes a concept of photocatalytic regulation of the synovial microenvironment (SME) for arthritis treatment. Monodispersive hydrogen-doped titanium dioxide nanorods with a rutile single-crystal structure are developed to achieve near infrared-photocatalytic generation of hydrogen molecules and depletion of lactic acid (LA) in a collagen-induced mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis. The results show that locally produced hydrogen molecules scavenge reactive oxygen species and regulate the synovial microenvironment, thereby preventing synovial pannus formation and cartilage destruction.
Article
Immunology
Yayun Xu, Zheng Lu, Yian Ling, Ruirui Hou, Jingjing Tao, Ge Deng, Xiaoling Xu, Xuewei Chen, Jingjing Ruan, Yihao Zhang, Xiaoqing Peng, Feihu Chen
Summary: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by synovial hyperplasia and joint destruction. Activated rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts (RASFs) exhibit tumor-like features. This study found that activation of acid-sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a) in an acidic environment promotes the proliferation of RASFs, which may involve the Wnt/β-catenin/c-Myc pathway.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiang Tong, Dongdong Yu, Li Yu, Weiqian Chen, Yanling Wen, Pengcheng Gu
Summary: This study investigated the role of MCP-1 in RA, showing that MCP-1 promoted FLS proliferation and migration, and affected FLS apoptosis. Clinically, MCP-1 was closely related to RA activity and could serve as a measure of clinical RA activity.
Article
Rheumatology
Delila Singh, Nina Hesse, Alla Skapenko, Hendrik Schulze-Koops
Summary: Methotrexate is associated with rare bone lesions that are often misdiagnosed as osteoporotic fractures. Early diagnosis is crucial for treatment and prevention of further osteopathology. This case highlights the importance of raising awareness and taking appropriate therapeutic measures, including discontinuing methotrexate.
Editorial Material
Rheumatology
Camilla R. L. Machado, Gary S. Firestein
Summary: Rheumatoid arthritis synovium contains fibroblast-like synoviocytes that are phenotypically and functionally heterogeneous. Advanced analyses have identified at least four distinct cell states, which are determined by the cells' location in the synovium, epigenetic imprinting, and the influence of microenvironment mediators.
NATURE REVIEWS RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Junqing He, Junyan Wang, Min Zhang, Guoyue Shi
Summary: As a folate antagonist, methotrexate (MTX) has been widely used in clinics for treating various tumors and inflammatory diseases. However, the dosage and clearance of MTX vary between individuals, and it may cause life-threatening side effects at high doses. Therefore, a convenient and simple method for MTX sensing is highly demanded.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kaori Suzuki, Etsuo A. Susaki, Isao Nagaoka
Summary: This review discusses the roles of cellular senescence and bacterial infection in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The study finds that bacterial infections and cellular senescence occur at the sites of atherosclerotic lesions, and lipopolysaccharide from Gram-negative bacteria can induce and enhance cellular senescence and the associated inflammatory properties, thus contributing to the development of atherosclerosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Kaori Suzuki, Mari Ohkuma, Akimasa Someya, Tomoya Mita, Isao Nagaoka
Summary: LL-37 induces autophagy in endothelial cells and enhances cell death in autophagy-dysfunctional conditions, potentially exerting adverse effects in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)