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Metabolic Checkpoints in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Valentina Pucino1,2, Michelangelo Certo1, Gilda Varricchi3
1Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Frontiers in Physiology
|May 5, 2020
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves complex interactions between immune cells, metabolism, and inflammation in the synovial membrane. Understanding these metabolic changes is crucial for developing new RA treatments.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Metabolism
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Immune cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovium utilize specific metabolic pathways to fuel inflammatory functions.
- The synovial membrane in RA exhibits distinct metabolic profiles influencing disease prognosis and treatment response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on cell metabolism in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- To explore the interplay between metabolic pathways and immune/inflammatory responses in RA pathogenesis.
- To identify potential novel therapeutic targets for RA based on metabolic dysregulation.
Main Methods:
- This review synthesizes existing research on cellular metabolism in RA.
- It analyzes the role of metabolic intermediates and signaling molecules in RA pathogenesis.
- The review examines how metabolic changes influence immune cell function and inflammation in the RA synovium.
Main Results:
- Immune and stromal cells in the RA synovium have high energy demands, leading to metabolite accumulation.
- Adipocytokines and activated transcription factors act as signaling molecules and metabolic sensors.
- These metabolic events promote pro-inflammatory functions in joint-resident and immune cells, perpetuating chronic inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Metabolic alterations are deeply intertwined with immune and inflammatory processes in RA.
- Further understanding of these metabolic-immune interactions is key to elucidating RA pathogenesis.
- Targeting metabolic pathways presents a promising strategy for novel RA therapeutics.
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