J Korean Rheum Assoc.  2001 Mar;8(1):1-7.

Apoptosis of Synovial Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Ji JD
• Yoo DH

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by a chronic inflammatory synovitis, eventually leading to destruction of bone and cartilage. Significant hyperplasia and infiltration of activated inflammatory cells play a major role in the destruction of joint. The proliferation of synovial cells could be derived from imbalance between apoptotic cell death and excessive proliferation of synovial cells. However, many reports regarding on the apoptosis or proliferation of synovial cells showed a little bit contradictory up to date. Induction of synovial cell apoptosis could be an interesting and attractive way of treatment by way of many signal transduction pathway, such as NFkB, P53, sentrin, FADD, etc. We discussed on the apoptosis and proliferation of synovial cells, and focused on the proposed mechanisms of resistance for apoptosis. Here, we reviewed literatures on the apoptosis and abnormal proliferation of synovial cells, and focused on the proposed mechanisms of resistance against apoptosis. In addition, we mentioned about the possibility of apoptosis induction as a modality of treatment against rheumatoid arthritis in future.

Keyword

Rheumatoid arthritis; Apoptosis; Synovial cell; Proliferation; Fas

MeSH Terms

Apoptosis*
Arthritis, Rheumatoid*
Cartilage
Cell Death
Hyperplasia
Joints
Signal Transduction
SUMO-1 Protein
Synovitis
SUMO-1 Protein