Macrophages in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA) tissue macrophages release growth factors, matrix metalloproteinases, cytokines, and chemokines. While in normal joints there is a balance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, an imbalance between these inducers and inhibitors of inflammation occurs in RA, where macrophages are responsible for inducing inflammation, matrix destruction and angiogenesis.