Rheumatoid Arthritis: Recent Research Advances

Many advances have occurred in the last 5 years especially
in understanding genetic susceptibility factors, the role of
immune response in chronic arthritis and the relationship
between cellular processes that underlie inflammation and
tissue damage. All these are dealt with in depth in the
individual contributions.
Genetics studies included illustrate how studies of HLA
genes and genes controlling the autoantibody repertoire may
be involved. Environmental factors are believed to be
important and studies both in humans and in experimental
models on the role of viral and bacterial agents are
covered. The fascinating relationship between microbes,
dysregulated immune responses and oncogenes are also
examined.
Since autoimmunity is the key aspect of the immunological
response in rheumatoid arthritis, the role of antigens is
re-examined as is the part played by immune T and B cells.
New areas of clinical application of basic science is well
presented in this book, forexample, in examining how
markers of cartilage destruction may become important in
monitoring disease activity. A chapter reviewing possible
future novel therapies is included.