Articles in 2017

Gene expression profiling has been used for the first time to stratify patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) into potentially useful clinical groups, and also to further understand differences in the cell-specificity and nature of the interferon signature typical of SLE and other autoimmune diseases.

The treatment of systemic sclerosis (SSc) is complex as multiple organs are frequently involved and treatment is either for overall disease modification or is organ specific. EULAR has updated its treatment recommendations for SSc, reflecting data from some new trials. However, some features of SSc are not included.

Regenerative medicine can be viewed as 'tissue engineering V2.0'. Discoveries and novel applications of technology advanced the field considerably in 2016, with the use of new biomaterials, stem cells and biologically active molecules.

The goal of a development programme for a biosimilar product is to prove its biosimilarity to the reference product, rather than independently establish its safety and efficacy. In this Perspectives article, the authors describe the US FDA's rigorous approach to the assessment of biosimilarity for proposed biosimilar therapeutic proteins, including those intended to treat rheumatologic conditions.

Leptin is involved in regulating bone mass, basal metabolism and insulin secretion, among other processes. This Review explores the role of leptin in the immune system and metabolism, with particular emphasis on its effect on autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

The authors discuss the preclinical evidence that provides insights into the mechanisms, pathways and mediators that set in motion resolution of inflammation. The time is ripe to establish if, and how, this biology can inform therapeutic innovation in the context of chronic inflammatory diseases.