Comparative study of the synovial levels of RANKL and OPG in rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis and osteoarthritis.

Introduction: In chronic arthropathies, there are several mechanisms of joint destruction. In recent years, studies have reported the implication of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in the process of activation and differentiation of osteoclasts, a key cell in the development of bone erosion. The RANKL/OPG ratio is increased in the serum of patients with malignant diseases and lytic bone disease, as well as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The Behaviour of Serum Survivin in Patients With Lupus Nephritis.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, multi phenotypic, autoimmune inflammatory disease and renal involvement significantly worsens its prognosis. Apoptosis dysregulation plays a key pathogenic role. Survivin, a protein from the apoptosis inhibitors family, has been considered a promising strategy in cancer therapy and evaluated as one of the regulatory pathways in the scenario of immune-mediated disorders.