Molecular Research in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Dear Colleagues,

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease. It is estimated to affect around 1% of the world’s population. RA patients can still face a decreased quality of life and lifespan. The etiology of this disease is, so far, incompletely understood and clarified. It is currently accepted that RA initiation and progression involves the interplay of risk factors that render the host susceptible to the disease, a breach of immune tolerance, autoantibody production, a self-perpetuating inflammatory response, and dysregulated innate and adaptive immune responses. Primarily, RA affects the synovial tissue of small joints, where the hyperproliferation of synovial cells and infiltration of immune cells lead to synovitis and can subsequently contribute to cartilage and bone destruction. This leads to the progressive damage of the musculoskeletal system and contributes to decreased physical function. As well as this, RA can also impact the function of almost all other organs in the body, evident from the myriad of systemic manifestations associated with this disease. Recent decades have witnessed an impressive advancement in our knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms enrolled in RA pathophysiology. Yet, a lot remains to be clarified and understood. This Special Issue intends to provide the reader with a glimpse of the latest advances in the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying RA pathogenesis, and on how these may hopefully translate towards better therapeutical approaches for RA treatment. Within this scope, authors are invited to contribute with original research or review papers.

Dr. Ângelo Calado
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• rheumatoid arthritis
• synovium
• autoimmunity
• rheumatology
• omics