Arthritis Research & Therapy - Latest articlesThe latest articles from Arthritis Research & Therapy (ISSN 1478-6354) published by BioMed CentralHigh-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1): an alarmin mediating the pathogenesis of rheumatic disease- June 30, 2008 High-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) is a non-histone nuclear protein that has a dual function. Inside the cell, HMGB1 binds DNA, regulating transcription and determining chromosomal architecture. Outside the cell, HMGB1 can serve as an alarmin to activate the innate system and mediate a wide range of physiological and pathological responses. To function as an alarmin, HMGB1 translocates from the nucleus of the cell to the extra-cellular milieu, a process that can take place with cell...http://arthritis-research.com/content/10/3/209 Induction of arthritis by high mobility group box-1 protein is independent of tumour necrosis factor signalling- June 26, 2008 IntroductionTNFalpha and HMGB1 are two potent pro-inflammatory cytokines implicated as important mediators of arthritis. Increased levels of these cytokines are found in the joints of RA patients and they trigger arthritis when applied into the joints of naive mice. HMGB1 is actively released from immune cells in response to TNFalpha and once released, it induces in turn production of several pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-6 and TNFalpha by macrophages. However, it is unknown whether...http://arthritis-research.com/content/10/3/R72 Diacerein inhibits the synthesis of resorptive enzymes and reduces osteoclastic differentiationsurvival in osteoarthritic subchondral bone: a possible- June 25, 2008 IntroductionSubchondral bone alterations represent an essential component of osteoarthritis (OA). Modifying the abnormal subchondral bone metabolism may be indicated to treat OA. We investigated the effect of diacerein and rhein on the changes occurring in subchondral bone during OA. To this end, we determined the drugs' effects on MMP-13 synthesis on subchondral bone and on the osteoblast signalling pathways. In osteoclasts, we studied MMP-13 and cathepsin K production, as well as cell...http://arthritis-research.com/content/10/3/R71 The association between disease activity and NT-proBNP in 238 patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a 10-year longitudinal study- June 23, 2008 IntroductionDisease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality of which N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a predictor. Our objective was to examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between markers of inflammation, measures of RA disease activity, medication used in the treatment of RA and NT-proBNP levels (dependent variable). Methods: Two hundred and thirty-eight patients with RA.http://arthritis-research.com/content/10/3/R70 Altered fractalkine cleavage potentially promotes local inflammation in NOD salivary gland- June 19, 2008 IntroductionIn the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse model for Sjogren's Syndrome, lymphocytic infiltration is preceded by an accumulation of dendritic cells (DC) in the submandibular glands (SMG). NOD mice also display an increased frequency of mature, fractalkine receptor (CX3CR1) expressing monocytes, which are considered to be precursors for tissue DC. To further unravel the role of fractalkine-CX3CR1 interactions in the salivary gland inflammation, we studied the expression of fractalkine in...http://arthritis-research.com/content/10/3/R69 5.5 year results of MegaOATS autologus transfer of the posterior femoral condyle: a case series study- June 16, 2008 IntroductionLarge osteochondral defects of the weightbearing zones of femoral condyles in young and active patients were treated by autologus transfer of the posterior femoral condyle (MegaOATS). The technique presented is a sound and feasible salvage procedure to address large osteochondral defects in weightbearing zones. Methods: 36 patients between 071996 and 122000 were included. 33 (10 female, 23 male) patients were evaluated by Lysholm score and X-rays. A random test of 16 individuals...http://arthritis-research.com/content/10/3/R68 Gout in the spotlight- June 6, 2008 Understanding how uric acid crystals provoke inflammation is crucial to improving our management of acute gout. It is well known that urate crystals stimulate monocytes and macrophages to elaborate inflammatory cytokines, but the tissue response of the synovium is less well understood. Microarray analysis of mRNA expression by these lining cells may help to delineate the genes that are modulated. Employing a murine air-pouch model, a number of genes expressed by innate immune cells were found...http://arthritis-research.com/content/10/3/112 Paradoxical effects of tumour necrosis factor- in adjuvant-induced arthritis- June 6, 2008 Anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) therapy is highly effective in rheumatoid arthritis and it is surprising, therefore, that a recent study showed that intraperitoneal administration of recombinant TNF reduced the severity of adjuvant-induced arthritis and decreased IFN expression in cultured draining lymph node cells. Furthermore, in untreated arthritic rats, maximal TNF expression in draining lymph node cells coincided with spontaneous disease remission, suggesting a role for endogenous TNF in.http://arthritis-research.com/content/10/3/113 The human anti-IL-1 monoclonal antibody ACZ885 is effective in joint inflammation models in mice and in a proof-of-concept study in patients with rheu- June 5, 2008 IntroductionIL-1 is a proinflammatory cytokine driving joint inflammation as well as systemic signs of inflammation, such as fever and acute phase protein production. Methods: ACZ885, a fully human monoclonal antibody that neutralizes the bioactivity of human IL-1, was generated to study the potent and long-lasting neutralization of IL-1 in mechanistic animal models as well as in a proof-of-concept study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Results: The mouse IL-1 receptor cross-reacts...http://arthritis-research.com/content/10/3/R67 |