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Mast cells in rheumatoid arthritis

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Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease of joints that is characterized by inflammation, abnormal cellular and humoral immune responses, and synovial hyperplasia. Mast cells (MCs) are involved in several of these inflammatory and immune events. MC-derived mediators induce edema, destroy connective tissue, and are involved in lymphocyte chemotaxis and infiltration and in pathological fibrosis of RA joints. Moreover, MCs are involved in angiogenesis during RA, and their proteolytic activity results in cartilage destruction and bone remodeling. Lastly, MCs could be a target in the treatment of RA.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (AIRC, National and Regional Funds) Milan, Ministry for Education, the Universities and Research (FIRB 2001 and PRIN 2005), Rome, and the Fondazione Italiana per la Lotta al Neuroblastoma, Genoa, Italy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chair of Rheumatology, University of Foggia Medical School, Foggia, Italy

    Nicola Maruotti & Francesco Paolo Cantatore

  2. Department of Medical and Morphological Research, University of Udine Medical School, Udine, Italy

    Enrico Crivellato

  3. Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy

    Angelo Vacca

  4. Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, Policlinico, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11, I-70124, Bari, Italy

    Domenico Ribatti

Authors
  1. Nicola Maruotti
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  2. Enrico Crivellato
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  3. Francesco Paolo Cantatore
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  4. Angelo Vacca
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  5. Domenico Ribatti
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Correspondence to Domenico Ribatti.

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Maruotti, N., Crivellato, E., Cantatore, F.P. et al. Mast cells in rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Rheumatol 26, 1–4 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-006-0305-3

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