The role of immune cells and cytokines in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is common human autoimmune disease with chronic joint inflammation and bone destruction. Macrophages, T lymphocytes and osteoclasts are crucial cells in the development and progression of RA. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) plays a key role in the cellular infiltration and inflammatory events of RA, whereas RANK and RANK ligand (RANKL) are crucial factors in bone destruction. Thus, TNFα and RANK ligand are the important therapeutic targets in RA.

Section editors:Terry Delovitch – The John P. Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, CanadaDavid Scott – University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA