Molecular and cellular contributors of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Review Molecular and Cellular Contributors of Rheumatoid Arthritis Qingxin Bang 1, Weihua Song 2, and Xiaomeng Wang 1,3,4,* 1 Centre for Vision Research, Duke NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore2 Innoland Biosciences, 400 East Building, 6 West Beijing Road, Taicang 215414, China3 Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) The Academia, 20 College Road, Level 6 Discovery Tower, Singapore 169856, Singapore4 Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Proteos, 61 Biopolis Dr, Singapore 138673, Singapore * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 7 March 2024; Revised: 17 May 2024; Accepted: 18 May 2024; Published: 29 August 2024 Abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic immune-mediated condition affecting about 1% of the world population. Persistent synovial inflammation (synovitis) triggers the hyperplastic transformation of the synovium which eventually destroys juxta-articular bones and articular cartilage. As the disease progresses, RA patients may present systemic and extra-articular manifestations. Particularly, RA patients are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular events and mortality as compared to individuals without RA. Recent advances in understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of RA led to the development of disease-modifying drugs and reliable assessment tools that have significantly improved the management of RA. This review focuses on the current understanding of RA pathogenesis and treatment strategies.