Abstract
The biology of fibroblast-like cells is important in understanding of pathogeneis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Fibroblast-like synovial cells (FLSs) is major component of pannus in inflamed joint, and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) is thought to be in bone edema, a recently reported RA lesion in bone marrow that is detectable by MRI. It is interesting that MSCs share many characteristics with FLSs. Both types of cells can secrete cytokines, and differentiate into mesenchymal lineage cells such as osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes. In this review, we discuss the possible contribution of the adipogenesis insufficency of FLSs or MSCs to the development of synovial hyperplasia and bone edema in RA.
