Mast cell involvement in rheumatoid arthritis.

Autoimmunity is a failure of self-tolerance resulting in immune reactions against autologous antigen. Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by inflammation of synovium associated with destruction of the join cartilage and bone. A role of mast cell-mediated inflammation and antibodies are involved in this disease. Numerous cytokines such as IL-1, TNF, IL-8, IL-33 and IFN gamma have been implicated in rheumatoid arthritis and in particular in the synovial joint fluid. Since TNF is believed to activates resident synovial cells to produce collagenase that mediate destruction of cartilage, antagonists against the inflammatory cytokine TNF have a beneficial effects in this disease. Here we review the interrelationship between rheumatoid arthritis and mast cell activation.