Pathogenetic role and possible applications of CXCL10/CXCR3 in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is one of the systemic autoimmune diseases,which mainly manifests as arthritis.It has been proved that the abnormal activation of T lymphocytes,especially CD4~+ T cells,and the cytokines secreted by them are involved in the initiation and progression of RA.Chemokines play a key role in the activation and migration of inflammatory cells to synovial tissue.C-X-C ligands 10/interferon-inducible protein-10(CXCL10/IP-10) could bind its receptor CXCR3 on the surface of T cells, induce the activation of T cells and the differentiation into CD4~+ Th1 cells,and thereby promote the inflammatory reaction. Moreover,it was found that CXCL10 was highly expressed in the serum and synovium of patients with RA.Currently,as a possible pathogen,CXCL10/CXCR3 is drawing more and more attention in the pathogenesis of RA.Since accumulating evidence indicated that antibodies and naked DNA vaccine of CXCL10 could inhibit and treat RA,CXCL10 may be used as a new target for the treatment of RA.