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Review
. 2010 May;36(2):385-404.
doi: 10.1016/j.rdc.2010.03.003.

Bone damage in rheumatoid arthritis: mechanistic insights and approaches to prevention

Sougata Karmakar  1 , Jonathan Kay, Ellen M Gravallese
Affiliations
Review

Bone damage in rheumatoid arthritis: mechanistic insights and approaches to prevention

Sougata Karmakar et al. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2010 May.

Abstract

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), cells within the inflamed synovium and pannus elaborate a variety of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and IL-17, that contribute to inflammation, and may directly affect bone. The receptor activator of NF-kappaB (RANK) ligand/RANK/osteoprotegerin pathway plays a critical role in regulating osteoclastogenesis in articular bone erosions in RA. Proinflammatory cytokines can modulate this pathway, and may also affect the ability of the osteoblast to repair bone at sites of articular erosion. In this review, the authors discuss the current understanding of pathogenic mechanisms of bone erosion in RA and examine current therapeutic approaches to prevent this damage.

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References

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