title: Methotrexate: anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive?
abstract: Low dose methotrexate (MTX) is an effective drug for rheumatoid arthritis, suppressing joint inflammation and even radiographic progression of joint disease. Some disease-specific side effects suggest an immunomodulatory effect of the drug. However, most data currently available suggest a mechanism of action at the level of the non-specific efferent arc of the immuno-inflammatory process rather than on T cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: van de Putte
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Boerbooms
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barrera
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kerstens
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Jeurissen
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D008727:Methotrexate