MECHANISTIC STUDY OF RISK FACTORS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITISAND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNTION, ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND INFLAMMATION - A REVIEW

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that mainly affects the lining of the synovial joints,
which are characterized by painful, swollen joints that can severely impair body function and quality of life. Risk
factors of RA involve age, gender, genetics, and environmental exposure (smoking, air pollution etc.). RA, leads
to the activation of endothelial cells (ECs). Leukocyte adhesion molecules are activated due to activation of ECs
which induce atherosclerosis. Endothelial (ED) dysfunction is considered to be a failure of endothelial remodeling
processes.
Atherosclerosis is a condition of inflammation which alters endothelial functioning and promotes response to
injury, associated with increased exposure to adhesion molecules. Inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNFa, are
independent of predicting subsequent atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction is an autoimmune diseases of RA
involve body's immune response like macrophages and dendritic cells may be helpful in diagnosing
atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction.
Symmetric (SDMA) and asymmetric (ADMA) dimethylarginines are biomarkers (CVD) in many areas of
atherosclerosis.
Inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNFa, are independent of predicting subsequent atherosclerosis. In the
current review, a link between RA, Endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis will be discussed in emphasizing
inflammation as a cause of disease.