Hyaluronan Oligosaccharides Induce MMP-1 and -3 via Transcriptional Activation of NF-κB and p38 MAPK in Rheumatoid Synovial Fibroblasts.

Objective: To explore the effect of hyaluronan oligosaccharides (HAoligos) on interactions between HA and its principal receptor, CD44, in rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts (RSFs) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production.

Methods: RSFs were isolated from rheumatoid synovial tissue. HA distribution was visualized by immunocytochemistry.

Hyaluronan Inhibits Tlr-4-Dependent RANKL Expression in Human Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblasts.

The Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway is activated in synovial fibroblast cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK) and its ligand, RANKL, are key molecules involved in the differentiation of osteoclasts and joint destruction in RA. Hyaluronan (HA) is a major extracellular component and an important immune regulator.

Concomitant methotrexate and tacrolimus augment the clinical response to abatacept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with a prior history of biological DMARD use.

This observational retrospective study examined whether abatacept efficacy could be augmented with concomitant methotrexate (MTX) or tacrolimus (TAC) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who experienced failure with prior biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and in whom favorable therapeutic efficacy is difficult to achieve. All patients with a prior biological DMARD history who were treated with abatacept for 52 weeks and registered in a Japanese multicentre registry were included. Clinical efficacy and safety of abatacept according to the concomitant drug used, i.

Effects of Concomitant Methotrexate on Large Joint Replacement in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated With Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study in Japan.

Objective: To determine the effects of concomitant methotrexate (MTX) on the incidence of large joint replacement resulting from the progression of large joint destruction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed using a multicenter registry. In total, 803 patients with RA who received etanercept or adalimumab were included.

Use of a 12-week observational period for predicting low disease activity at 52 weeks in RA patients treated with abatacept: a retrospective observational study based on data from a Japanese multicentre registry study.

Objective: Only a few studies have assessed predictive factors for the long-term efficacy of abatacept. This study aimed to provide clinical evidence of an adequate observational period for predicting low disease activity (LDA) achievement at 52 weeks in RA patients treated with abatacept.

Methods: Participants were all patients registered in a Japanese multicentre registry who were treated with abatacept and had at least 52 weeks of follow-up (n = 254).

Drug retention rates of second biologic agents after switching from tumor necrosis factor inhibitors for rheumatoid arthritis in Japanese patients on low-dose methotrexate or without methotrexate.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore drug retention rates of second biologic agents after switching from tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) in clinical practice in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on low-dose methotrexate (MTX) or without MTX.

Methods: A total of 169 RA patients who had been withdrawn from first-course TNFi therapy and received a different TNFi or tocilizumab (TCZ) as a second biologic agent were selected from the Tsurumai Biologics Communication Registry, an observational cohort database. Retention rates of second biologic treatment were compared by the type of first TNFi and second biologic agents.

Importance of methotrexate therapy concomitant with tocilizumab treatment in achieving better clinical outcomes for rheumatoid arthritis patients with high disease activity: an observational cohort study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of concomitant use of MTX and baseline characteristics for remission in the treatment of RA with tocilizumab (TCZ) in daily clinical practice.

Methods: A total of 240 RA patients who received TCZ were selected from the multicentre Tsurumai Biologics Communication Registry. Predictive baseline factors for remission [28-item DAS (DAS28) < 2.

Clinical efficacy of abatacept, tocilizumab, and etanercept in Japanese rheumatoid arthritis patients with inadequate response to anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies.

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and retention rates of three biologics (abatacept, tocilizumab, and etanercept) after switching from first-course anti-TNF monoclonal antibody therapy. We performed a retrospective multicenter study of 89 patients who underwent second-course biologic therapy for 52 weeks after switching from first-course anti-TNF monoclonal antibody therapy. Patients at baseline had a mean age of 58.

Alexithymia, depression, inflammation, and pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: We previously reported that depression and inflammation have independent effects on pain severity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Alexithymia is a personality trait characterized by deficits in cognitive processing and regulation of emotions. A broad association between alexithymia and various health problems has been suggested, including depression, inflammation, and pain.

Clinical efficacy of abatacept compared to adalimumab and tocilizumab in rheumatoid arthritis patients with high disease activity.

Favourable clinical results in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with high disease activity (HDA) are difficult to achieve. This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of abatacept according to baseline disease activity compared to adalimumab and tocilizumab. This study included all patients registered in a Japanese multicenter registry treated with abatacept (n = 214), adalimumab (n = 175), or tocilizumab (n = 143) for 24 weeks.

Hyaluronan inhibits TLR-4 dependent cathepsin K and matrix metalloproteinase 1 expression in human fibroblasts.

Rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts (RSF) are activated by toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathways during the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Cathepsin K is highly expressed by RSF, and is known to play a key role in the degradation of type I and type II collagen. Cathepsin K is considered to be implicated in the degradation of bone and cartilage in RA.

Clinical efficacy of abatacept in Japanese rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the treatment retention and efficacy of abatacept, the first member of a new class of biologic agents, in Japanese rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients during clinical practice.

Methods: A retrospective multicenter study was conducted with patients who underwent abatacept therapy for 24 weeks (n = 143).

Results: Patients at baseline had a mean age of 63.