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Ras family signaling pathway in immunopathogenesis of inflammatory rheumatic diseases

Mina Sadeghi Shaker1,2, Mohsen Rokni1,3, Mahdi Mahmoudi2,4

  • 1Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Frontiers in Immunology
|May 31, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Ras GTPase signaling is crucial for cell functions. Aberrant Ras pathways contribute to rheumatic diseases like systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus, impacting inflammation and immune responses.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Ras GTP-binding proteins are key regulators of cellular signaling pathways.
  • These pathways control essential cellular processes including proliferation, migration, survival, differentiation, and fibrosis.
  • Dysregulation of Ras signaling is implicated in various pathological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the fundamental biology and signaling mechanisms of Ras proteins.
  • To explore the role of Ras pathway abnormalities in the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases.
  • To discuss the involvement of Ras in systemic sclerosis (SSc), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of basic Ras biology and signaling.
  • Analysis of studies investigating Ras pathway involvement in rheumatic diseases.
  • Synthesis of information on Ras-mediated mechanisms in SSc, RA, AS, and SLE.

Main Results:

  • Ras signaling pathways are critical for normal cellular functions.
  • Aberrant Ras pathway activation and expression are linked to immune dysregulation, inflammation, and fibrosis in SSc.
  • Ras pathway dysregulation contributes to synovial tissue destruction in RA, autoantibody production in SLE, and ossification in AS.

Conclusions:

  • The Ras signaling pathway is a significant contributor to the pathogenesis of multiple rheumatic diseases.
  • Targeting Ras pathways may offer therapeutic potential for conditions like SSc, RA, AS, and SLE.
  • Further research into Ras biology and its role in rheumatic diseases is warranted.
Keywords:
Ras signalingankylosing spondylitisautoimmune inflammatory diseasesrheumatoid arthritissystemic lupus erythematosussystemic sclerosis

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