Matricellular Proteins (MCPs) in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting approximately 230 per 100,000 people worldwide. It typically affects joints and bones but may involve other tissues and internal organs as well. Rheumatoid arthritis is twice as common in females compared to males and causes a significant psychological burden on patients and an economic burden on society. During the development of the disease, multiple cellular processes are involved, including the activation of JAK-STAT, MAPK, PI3KAKT, and Wnt signaling pathways, the subsequent production of cytokines, interleukins, and matrix metalloproteinases, and the stimulation of immune cells, osteoclasts, and fibroblast-like synoviocytes. Matricellular proteins typically support the stability of the extracellular matrix and oversee cellular interactions within it. They are also thought to be involved in several pathological processes, including cancer, diabetes, immune cell recruitment, and cardiovascular diseases. Recent research evidence suggests that matricellular proteins can play both pro- and anti-inflammatory roles in rheumatoid arthritis and may also affect other processes relevant to disease propagation. In conclusion, this review highlights published research that sheds light on the roles matricellular proteins may play in rheumatoid arthritis, as well as their potential as diagnostic and therapeutic targets for the disease.