Rheumatoid arthritis related interstitial lung disease - improving outcomes over 25 years: a large multicentre UK study.

Objective: This study explores whether the prognosis of interstitial lung disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA-ILD) has improved over time and assesses the potential influence of drug therapy in a large multicentre UK network.

Methods: We analysed data from 18 UK centres on patients meeting criteria for both RA and ILD diagnosed over a 25-year period. Data included age, disease duration, outcome and cause of death.

Therapeutic targeting of IL-6 trans signaling counteracts STAT3 control of experimental inflammatory arthritis.

Cytokine control of the synovial infiltrate is a central process in the development of inflammatory arthritis. In this study, we combine genetic approaches and intervention strategies to describe a fundamental requirement for IL-6-mediated STAT3 signaling in orchestrating the inflammatory infiltrate in monoarticular and systemic models of experimental arthritis. STAT3 activation via the common gp130 signal-transducing receptor for all IL-6-related cytokines led to increased retention of neutrophils and T cells within the inflamed synovium, which included STAT3-regulated IL-17A-secreting T cells.