Activation of synoviocytes

The evaluation of molecular pathways has revealed various novel insights in to rheumatoid arthritis pathophysiology during the past year. in addition, there is an increasing tendency toward analysis not merely of a single mech anism but rather of data addressing a substantial part of the cascade of ev ents leading to cellular activation. Because synovial fibroblasts are key c ells involved in joint destruction, this review outlines the events that tr igger or inhibit the crucial pathways leading to their aggressive behavior. Major topics include cellular and humoral interactions (frequently modulat ed by cytokines), intracellular signaling and upregulation of gene transcri ption, and the deleterious effects on articular homeostasis. Curr Opin Rheu matol 2000. 12:186-194 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.