Abstract The term ‘inflammatory myopathies’ (IMs) comprise a group of muscle diseases formed by four main categories known as polymyositis (PM), dermatomyositis (DM), inclusion body myositis (IBM) and immune-mediated necrotizing…
Abstract Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by dryness and systemic involvement in more than a third of the patients. Patient management has suffered from the…
Abstract Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are inflammatory joint diseases, characterized by pain and structural damage. Besides prostaglandins, usually targeted by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, other lipids, including fatty acids,…
Abstract There is an overwhelming need for a simple, reliable tool that aids clinicians in diagnosing, assessing disease activity and treating rheumatic conditions. Identification of biomarkers in partially understood inflammatory…
Abstract Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is one of the most complex connective tissue diseases. Although the pathogenesis of SSc still remains elusive, it is generally accepted that initial vascular injury due…
Abstract Non-invasive imaging has great potential to contribute to the ‘Three R’s’ principles for more ethical use of experimental animals. It enables repetitive monitoring of disease progression and measurement of…
Abstract The central role of the inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-23, and IL-17 in the disease pathogenesis of spondyloarthritis (SpA) is unquestionable, given the strong efficacy of anti-cytokine therapeutics…
Abstract Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common age-related arthritic disorder and is characterized by aberrant extracellular matrix (ECM) content and surface disruptions that range from fibrillation, clefting and delamination, leading…
Abstract Antibodies against citrullinated proteins (ACPAs) are specific for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ACPA-positive RA is a chronic inflammatory disease resulting from the complex interaction between genetic (mainly HLA class II…
Abstract Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is a relatively common autoimmune systemic rheumatic disease. In addition to sicca syndrome and swollen salivary glands, systemic features manifest in the majority of patients,…
