Macrophages in rheumatoid arthritis

The abundance and activation of macrophages in the inflamed synovial membrane/pannus significantly correlates with the severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although unlikely to be the 'initiators' of RA (if not as antigen-presenting cells in early disease), macrophages possess widespread...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Arthritis research 2000, Vol.2 (3), p.189-202
Main Authors: Kinne, R W, Bräuer, R, Stuhlmüller, B, Palombo-Kinne, E, Burmester, G R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arthritis, Rheumatoid - immunology
Arthritis, Rheumatoid - pathology
Humans
Macrophages - immunology
Review
Synovial Membrane - immunology
Synovial Membrane - pathology
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Summary:The abundance and activation of macrophages in the inflamed synovial membrane/pannus significantly correlates with the severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although unlikely to be the 'initiators' of RA (if not as antigen-presenting cells in early disease), macrophages possess widespread pro-inflammatory, destructive, and remodeling capabilities that can critically contribute to acute and chronic disease. Also, activation of the monocytic lineage is not locally restricted, but extends to systemic parts of the mononuclear phagocyte system. Thus, selective counteraction of macrophage activation remains an efficacious approach to diminish local and systemic inflammation, as well as to prevent irreversible joint damage.
ISSN:1465-9905
1465-9913
DOI:10.1186/ar86