title: Cellular targets of interleukin-18 in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Recent data are presented which indicate a critical role for interleukin (IL)-18 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The T cells and macrophages invading the synovium or in the synovial fluid are the chief cellular targets of IL-18 in RA. Neutrophils, dendritic cells and endothelial cells may also be cellular mediators of IL-18. The direct effect of IL-18 on fibroblast-like synoviocytes or chondrocytes may not be essential or important. In RA, IL-18, which is mainly produced by macrophages, activates T cells and macrophages to produce proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules and RANKL which, in turn, perpetuate chronic inflammation and induce bone and cartilage destruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 174 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200433, P R China. dsm@medmail.com.cn
authors.forename: Sheng-Ming
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Zheng-Zheng
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Shan
authors.forename: Huji
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Kusuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishioka
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000276:immunology; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D013585:Synovitis / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D020382:Interleukin-18