title: SDF-1 signaling: a promising target in rheumatic diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) is a potent chemoattractant cytokine with various biological functions such as stem cell mobilization, inflammatory cell infiltration and angiogenesis. Therefore, it has also been implicated in several pathological processes, from ischemic conditions to cancer. Remarkably, SDF-1 and its receptors, CXCR4 and CXCR7, are also present in joint tissues, where they play a role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA).
  
  
  METHODS
  This review summarizes the physiological and pathological role of SDF-1 signaling and its involvement in RA and OA. That includes synovial inflammation, bone erosion, cartilage degradation and increased bone turnover. Although this cytokine could play different roles in these rheumatic diseases, specific and differentiated therapeutic targets in each process can be identified. Current therapeutic strategies to block SDF-1 signaling in several diseases and their possible use in rheumatic diseases are also discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Emerging drugs that block CXCR4 or CXCR7 in different disorders may represent promising therapies for rheumatic disease via inhibition of key pathological events involved in the progression of RA and OA.
authors.affiliation: Bone and Joint Research Unit, IIS Fundación Jiménez Díaz , Avda. de los Reyes Católicos, 2, Madrid, 28040 , Spain +34 915504800 ; gherrero@fjd.es.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Villalvilla
authors.forename: Rodolfo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gomez
authors.forename: Jorge A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Roman-Blas
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Largo
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Herrero-Beaumont
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D054387:Receptors, CXCR / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: C501896:ACKR3 protein, human; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12; D054387:Receptors, CXCR; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4
keywords: CXCL12; CXCR4; CXCR7; bone; cartilage; chondrocyte; osteoarthritis; osteoclast; rheumatoid arthritis; stromal cell-derived factor 1; synoviocyte; synovium