The NADase enzyme CD38: an emerging pharmacological target for systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Purpose Of Review: Here we review recent literature on the emerging role of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) metabolism and its dysfunction via the enzyme CD38 in the pathogenesis of rheumatologic diseases. We evaluate the potential of targeting CD38 to ameliorate NAD-related metabolic imbalance and tissue dysfunction in the treatment of systemic sclerosis (SSc), systemic lupus erythematous (SLE), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Recent Findings: In this review, we will discuss emerging basic, preclinical, and human data that point to the novel role of CD38 in dysregulated NAD-homeostasis in SSc, SLE, and RA.