[New findings on the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis]

In the submitted review the authors present some new findings and approaches pertaining to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). First they describe cells participating in the development of the articular inflammation and mediators which transmit signals between these cells and which may lead to their activation. The authors mention the immune complex role of rheumatoid factors and some new theories on their development. They describe effector substances directly responsible for the resulting damage and emphasize their final role in the entire cycle preceding the inflammatory reaction in which lymphocytes, macrophages, polymorphonuclear leucocytes and dendritic cells participate. The possible role of viruses in the aetiology of RA is also mentioned. In the conclusion the authors present the sequence of mechanisms which lead to the development and maintenance of the chronic inflammatory reaction which develops probably on the background of the persisting autologous mixed lymphocytic reaction.