title: The function of myeloid dendritic cells in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease that causes joint pain, inflammation, and loss of function. Disease pathogenesis involves activation and proliferation of autoreactive pro-inflammatory effector T cells. While the details of RA onset and progression remain controversial, dendritic cell (DC) numbers dramatically increase in the synovial joint tissues of RA patients. Based on their key functions as antigen-presenting cells and inducers of T cell differentiation, DCs may play an important role in the initiation of joint inflammation. Myeloid DC contributions are likely central to the development of RA, as they are more efficient at antigen presentation in comparison with their closely related cousins, plasmacytoid DCs. Synovial fluid in the joints of RA patients is enriched with pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which may stimulate or result from DC activation. Epidemiological evidence indicates that smoking and periodontal infection are major environmental risk factors for RA development. In this review, factors in the synovial environment that contribute to altered myeloid DC functions in RA and the effects of environmental risk factors on myeloid DCs are described.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Sciences, Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92354, USA.
authors.forename: Mary Beth
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Sciences, Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92354, USA. blangridge@llu.edu.
authors.forename: William H R
authors.initials: WHR
authors.lastname: Langridge
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D060833:Cellular Microenvironment; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007596:Joints / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D022423:Myeloid Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity; D012307:Risk Factors; D015398:Signal Transduction; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018836:Inflammation Mediators
keywords: Cytokines; Dendritic cells; Joint capsule; Rheumatoid arthritis