Reactive oxygen species and superoxide dismutases: role in joint diseases.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced in many normal and abnormal processes in humans, including atheroma, asthma, joint diseases, aging, and cancer. The superoxide anion O(2)(-) is the main ROS. Increased ROS production leads to tissue damage associated with inflammation.

A critical role for adrenomedullin-calcitonin receptor-like receptor in regulating rheumatoid fibroblast-like synoviocyte apoptosis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS) hyperplasia, which is partly ascribable to decreased apoptosis. In this study, we show that adrenomedullin (ADM), an antiapoptotic peptide, is constitutively secreted in larger amounts by FLS from joints with RA (RA-FLS) than with osteoarthritis (OA-FLS). ADM secretion was regulated by TNF-alpha.

Effect of cryoglobulin and crystalcryoglobulin on TNF-alpha production by normal human monocytes.

Objectives: We recovered an IgG1-kappa cryocrystalglobulin in synovial fluid and membrane specimens from a patient with destructive arthropathy. In the present study, we investigated its proinflammatory properties by measuring its effects on TNF-alpha production by normal human monocytes.

Materials And Methods: Normal human monocytes isolated by plastic adhesion were cultured in microtiter plates.