Rheumatology Advance Access originally published online on October 30, 2007
Rheumatology 2008 47(2):121-125; doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kem271
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
REVIEWS |
New insights in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis—from pathophysiology to treatment
Department of Paediatrics, University of Muenster, Germany.
Correspondence to: M. Frosch, University of Muenster, Department of Paediatrics, Paediatric Rheumatology and Immunology, Albert-Schweitzer-Str. 33, D-48149 Muenster, Germany. E-mail: froschm{at}uni-muenster.de
| Abstract |
|---|
Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) is characterized by the clinical features of remitting fever, a typical skin rash and arthritis. Many patients show frequent flares or persistent disease activity with significant morbidity and serious complications. Recent investigations in the pathophysiology of SJIA have focused on mediators of the innate immune system. Especially IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-18 as well as phagocyte-specific S100-proteins (S100A8, S100A9 and S100A12) are correlated with disease activity and secondary complications. Beside IL-6 all these molecules are secreted by a so-called alternative pathway. A loss of control of the alternative secretory pathway seems to be involved in release of pro-inflammatory proteins leading to the inflammatory process of SJIA. These insights lead to new promising treatment approaches, like application of recombinant anti-IL-1 receptor antagonist or anti-IL-6 receptor antibodies in patients resistant to conventional anti-inflammatory treatment. First case studies show improvement and remission on therapy in a substantial portion of these patients. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of pathophysiology and experiences in the treatment of SJIA.
KEY WORDS: Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Innate immune system, Treatment, Calgranulin, Calprotectin
Submitted 5 February 2007;
revised version accepted 5 September 2007.
![]()
CiteULike
Connotea
Del.icio.us What's this?