Biomaterial Database

JAK/STAT pathway in pathology of rheumatoid arthritis (Review). 2020

Dana Alexandra Ciobanu, and Ioan Sabin Poenariu, and Laura-Ioana Crînguș, and Florentin Ananu Vreju, and Adina Turcu-Stiolica, and Andrei Adrian Tica, and Vlad Padureanu, and Roxana Mihaela Dumitrascu, and Simona Banicioiu-Covei, and Stefan Cristian Dinescu, and Lidia Boldeanu, and Isabela Siloși, and Anca Marilena Ungureanu, and Mihail Virgil Boldeanu, and Eugen Osiac, and Andreea Lili Barbulescu

Department of Rheumatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is classified as an inflammatory, chronic autoimmune and disabling disease based on the intricate interplay between environmental and genetic factors. With a prevalence ranging from 0.3 to 1%, RA is the most prevalent inflammatory joint disease observed in adults. Disruption of immune tolerance becomes evident when abnormal stimulation of the innate and adaptive immune system occurs. This cascade of events causes persistent joint inflammation, proliferative synovitis and, ultimately, damage of the underlying cartilage as well as the subchondral bone, leading to permanent joint destruction, deformity and subsequent loss of function. With cytokines being the key to a multitude of biological processes, including inflammation, hematopoiesis and overall immune response, one must inevitably look at the main pathways through which a significant number of those molecules exert their function. Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STATs) represent one such pathway and, recently, JAK inhibitors (JAKinibs) have shown promise in the treatment of several inflammatory diseases, including RA. This narrative review focuses on the intricate signaling pathways involved as well as on the clinical aspects and safety profiles of JAKinibs approved for the treatment of RA.