Molecular mechanism of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis

The original structure of the synovial membrane is completely destroyed in the rheumatoid synovium and is characterized by mononuclear cell infiltrati on, synoviocyte proliferation, neo-vascularization, and deposition of extra cellular matrix proteins. Adhesion molecules play an important role in the development of these pathologic changes. In this review we discuss the role of the adhesion receptors of the selectin, integrin and immunglobulin fami lies and of the CD44 molecule in the cell-cell and cell-matrix interaction in the pathogenesis of the inflammatory changes in rheumatoid arthritis.