[Physiopathology of rheumatoid polyarthritis].

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common and most severe form of inflammatory arthritis. Its exact aetiology remains unknown but the combination of various risk factors is involved. Two non mutually exclusive concepts have been suggested: one based on the primary contribution of T cells and the other on that of mesenchymal fibroblastic cells. Both initial pathways lead to a common pathway inducing an intra-articular inflammatory reaction which is non-antigen specific. This process results from the combination of an increased production of destruction-inducing cytokines with a reduced expression of regulatory factors with anti-inflammatory properties. These components represent targets for treatment which are now going through extensive clinical investigation.