Rheumatoid Arthritis: Recent Research Advances

by Josef S. Smolen (Editor), Joachim R. Kalden (Editor), Ravinder N. Maini (Editor)

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783642761911
Publisher:	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication date:	12/21/2011
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1992
Pages:	399
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.03(d)

Table of Contents

Is Rheumatoid Arthritis a Disappearing Disease?.- Genetics.- Genetic Factors in Rheumatoid Arthritis.- Rheumatoid Arthritis in Southeastern Europe.- Pathogenesis.- Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Cellular and Cytokine Interactions.- Role of Cellular Adhesion in Rheumatoid Synovitis.- Endothelial Cells and Dendritic Cells in Rheumatoid Inflammation.- Cellular and Humoral Immune Response Against Articular Chondrocytes and Proteoglycans in Rheumatoid Arthritis.- Role and Regulation of Synovial MHC Class II Antigens in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Related Diseases.- CD5+ B Cells and Double-Negative T Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis.- The Genetics of Rheumatoid Factors (RF): The V-gene Repertoire of RFs in Rheumatoid Arthritis as Analyzed by Hybridoma Clones.- Neutrophil Polymorphonuclear Cell Function in Rheumatoid Arthritis.- Etiologic Factors — Bacterial Antigens, Autoantigens, Viruses.- Heat-Shock Proteins and Mycobacterial Antigens.- Type-II Collagen in the Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis.- Strepoccal Cell Wall Antigens and Rheumatoid Arthritis.- Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis.- Oncogenes and Retroviruses in Rheumatoid Arthritis.- Are Retroviruses Involved in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Diseases?.- Epstein-Barr Virus and Rheumatoid Arthritis.- Antibodies to EBV-Encoded Proteins in Rheumatoid Arthritis.- Autoantibodies and Markers of Disease Activity.- The Antiperinuclear Factor (APF) and Antikeratin Antibodies (AKA) in Rheumatoid Arthritis.- Anti-RA33: A New Antinuclear Antibody in Rheumatoid Arthritis.- Acute-Phase Response and Amyloid.- Markers of Cartilage Destruction.- Therapy.- Progress in the Therapy of Rheumatoid Arthritis.- T-Cell Vaccination — A Prospect.