Dysregulation of synovial fibroblasts in rheumatoid arthritis

Fibroblasts are ubiquitous stromal cells, with populations found in all organs. The traditional role of fibroblasts was thought to be mainly structural; making and modifying extracellular matrix. Taken together the ability of fibroblasts to produce and respond to many factors involved in the immune system indicates the degree to which they are involved in orchestrating the inflammatory response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This level of involvement demonstrates the importance of fibroblasts in inflammation and indicates the shift from transient to chronic inflammation in RA could be facilitated in part by synovial fibroblasts. This chapter explores the role of fibroblasts in RA.