Targeting fibroblast-like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis

Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) are mesenchymal-derived cells that play an important role in the physiology of the synovium by producing certain components of the synovial fluid and articular cartilage. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), however, fibroblasts become a key driver of synovial inflammation and joint damage. Because of this, there has been recent interest in FLS as a therapeutic target in RA to avoid side effects such as systemic immune suppression associated with many existing RA treatments. In this review, we describe how approved treatments for RA affect FLS signaling and function and discuss the effects of investigational FLS-targeted drugs for RA.

Automated summary

Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) play an important role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but in RA, fibroblasts become a key driver of synovial inflammation and joint damage. There has been recent interest in targeting FLS for RA treatment and the effects of FLS-targeted drugs are discussed.