Interleukin-4 inhibits prostaglandin E2 production by freshly prepared adherent rheumatoid synovial cells via inhibition of biosynthesis and gene expression of cyclo-oxygenase II but not of cyclo-oxygenase I

Article Abstract:

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) appears to inhibit overproduction of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by selectively inhibiting the enzyme, cyclo-oxygenase (COX) II. Overproduction of PGE2 plays a role in the inflammatory process of rheumatoid arthritis. COX II participates in the metabolic pathway that makes PGE2. Laboratory experiments with cultured cells from the joints of rheumatoid arthritis patients revealed that adding IL-4 to the culture decreased the production of COX II by more than half. It did not affect production of COX I, a closely related enzyme that is needed for normal functioning and is not involved in overproduction of PGE2.

Prostaglandins E

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Transforming growth factor beta-1 and interleukin 4 induced alpha smooth muscle actin expression and myofibroblast-liked differentiation in human synovial fibroblasts in vitro: modulation by basic fibroblast growth factor

Article Abstract:

Connective tissue cells called fibroblasts found in the inflamed joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) appear to be capable of transforming into irregular muscle-like fiber cells called myofibroblasts in the presence of certain cytokines. This transformation may be responsible for the adhesions occurring in the joints of patients with advanced RA disease. Adding transforming growth factor beta to fibroblasts from patients with RA resulted in increased levels of a muscle protein called alpha actin and the number of myofibroblasts. This transformation was reversed by adding fibroblast growth factor.

Causes of, Cell differentiation, Transforming growth factors, Fibroblasts

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Clinical trials in rheumatoid arthritis: methodological suggestions for assessing radiographs arising from the GRISAR study

Article Abstract:

Providing evaluators with two x-rays of each patient for comparison during treatment may be the best method for evaluating treatment progress. X-rays of 284 patients with RA taken before and 12 months into treatment were evaluated three ways. Three evaluators assessed the x-rays randomly one at a time, paired knowing which was before and after treatment, and paired not knowing which was before and after treatment. Results of the single random readings were significantly different from either of the two paired schemes. Readings were similar for the two paired schemes.

Evaluation, Joints, Joints (Anatomy), Radiography, Medical, Medical radiography

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