Masahiko Mihara
Japan
Research Article
Combination of High-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronic Acid and Cytokine Inhibitor Potently Inhibits Expression of Joint-Damage-Related Genes Induced By Synovial Fluid of RA Patients
Author(s): Misato Hashizume and Masahiko MiharaMisato Hashizume and Masahiko Mihara
Background: Blockade of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α inhibits the progression of joint damage in hands and feet in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). However, it has been recently reported that TNF inhibitors have little effect on the large weight-bearing joints once joint destruction has started. On the other hand, intraarticular injection of high-molecular-weight sodium Hyaluronate (HA) prevents cartilage degeneration in the large weight-bearing joints in osteoarthritis.
Objectives: We examined the effects of combinations of cytokine inhibitor and HA on the expression of ADAMTS (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs), MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases), and RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand), which all play important roles in joint damage, in human RA fibroblastlike s.. View More»
