title: Understanding the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disease of unknown etiology. It is characterized by the presence of rheumatoid factor and anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies. Initial phase of RA involves the activation of both T and B cells. Cytokines have a crucial role in the pathophysiology of RA as pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα, IL-1, IL-17 stimulates inflammation and degradation of bone and cartilage. There occurs an imbalance between the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine activities which leads to multisystem immune complications. There occurs a decline in the number of Treg cells which may also play an important role in pathophysiology of the disease. In RA patients, serum or plasma level of cytokines may indicate the severity of disease. Cytokine gene polymorphism could be used as markers of susceptibility and severity of RA. Anti-cytokine agents seem to emerge as potent drug molecules to treat RA. Many clinical trials are ongoing and several positive results have been obtained. There is a need to develop potential anti-cytokine agents that target numerous pathways involved in the pathogenesis of RA. This review article describes the effector functions of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and the role of cytokine gene polymorphism in the pathogenesis of RA. Anti-cytokine agents that are currently available and those that are still in clinical trials have also been summarized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh -202002, India. Electronic address: smateen.amu@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Somaiya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mateen
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh -202002, India.
authors.forename: Atif
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zafar
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh -202002, India.
authors.forename: Shagufta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moin
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh -202002, India.
authors.forename: Abdul Qayyum
authors.initials: AQ
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Women's college, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh -202002, India.
authors.forename: Swaleha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zubair
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products; D016207:Cytokines
keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis; anti-cytokine agents; anti-inflammatory cytokines; cytokine gene polymorphism; pro-inflammatory cytokines