A review on interleukins: The key manipulators in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease associated with weakening of bones and joint pain. It primarily involves autoimmunity, matrix destruction, osteoclastogenesis, inflammation, and angiogenesis. Numerous cellular and humoral components of the immune system are involved in the etiology of diseases; however, the cardinal part is played by the inter-cellular signaling messengers called cytokines. Interleukins is a vaguely defined sub-class of cytokines that are abundantly found in the RA patients. The multifariousness and diversity in the function of the interleukins make them very likely to be associated with the pathogenesis in multiple ways. Nonetheless, the variety in opinions of researchers globally has led to contentious inferences. Ergo, in this review we have amalgamated the views of researchers from the past two decades till date to provide a comprehensive report about the role of interleukins in rheumatoid arthritis.

Keywords:

• Autoimmunity
• Cytokines
• Interleukins
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Acknowledgments

We are greatly indebted to Vellore Institute of Technology for the constant encouragement, help and support for extending necessary facilities.

Conflict of interest

None.