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Could retinoids be a potential treatment for rheumatic diseases?
Yoshishige Miyabe1, Chie Miyabe, Toshihiro Nanki
1Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 149 13th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA.
Rheumatology International
|June 19, 2014
Summary
Retinoids, vitamin A derivatives, modulate immune cells and show promise in treating rheumatic diseases like arthritis and lupus nephritis in animal and human studies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Retinoids, vitamin A derivatives, interact with retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs).
- They influence various immune cells, including T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, and monocytes/macrophages.
- Retinoids impact neutrophil functions like reactive oxygen species production and migration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multifaceted effects of retinoids on immune cells.
- To summarize the efficacy of retinoids in animal models of rheumatic diseases.
- To discuss the therapeutic potential of retinoids in human rheumatic conditions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on retinoids and immune cells.
- Analysis of in vivo data from animal models of rheumatic diseases.
- Examination of clinical findings from pilot studies in rheumatic patients.
Main Results:
- Retinoids suppress Th1/Th17 cell differentiation and promote Th1/regulatory T cell development.
- They modulate B cell proliferation and enhance dendritic cell maturation and IL-10 production.
- Retinoids inhibit neutrophil reactive oxygen species, elastase release, and alter migration patterns.
- Positive effects observed in animal models of arthritis, myositis, and vasculitis.
- Successful pilot studies in lupus nephritis and systemic sclerosis patients.
Conclusions:
- Retinoids exhibit broad immunomodulatory effects impacting multiple immune cell types.
- Evidence supports the therapeutic potential of retinoids in various rheumatic diseases.
- Further investigation into retinoid-based therapies for rheumatic conditions is warranted.
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