Research Highlights in 2022

A novel strategy for the repair of articular cartilage involves converting fibrocartilage to hyaline cartilage by modifying the cytoskeleton of fibrotic chondrocytes.

An analysis of blood gene-expression signatures in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus has identified several patterns of expression, some of which are associated with disease activity and features such as the response to rituximab.

New research shows that combining a hydrogel with nanozymes to modify the hypoxic, inflammatory joint environment in rheumatoid arthritis enables stem cells to promote osseointegration.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) modulates the function of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in a mouse model of Sjögren syndrome and is a potential therapeutic target.

Targeting inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) ameliorates experimental ANCA-associated vasculitis, by enhancing fatty acid oxidation in neutrophils.

New research suggests that A20 expressed in fibroblasts protects against fibrosis (whereas its negative regulator downstream regulatory element antagonist modulator (DREAM) promotes fibrosis), and highlights the therapeutic potential of targeting the A20–DREAM network.

Inhibition of epigenetic processes in synovial fibroblasts can reverse inflammatory priming and prevent flares in experimental models of arthritis.

A gut bacterium found in people at risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or with early RA is recognized by circulating autoantibodies, and is arthritogenic when it colonizes germ-free mice, suggesting a causal role in RA development.

Inhibition of the DNA damage response kinase ATR prevents B cells from IFNα-mediated acquisition of a systemic lupus erythematosus immunogenic profile.

New research demonstrates that unrestrained cutaneous growth of Staphylococcus aureus causes autoimmunity characteristic of systemic lupus erythematosus in mice.

Using a combination of various single-cell and immune profiling approaches, researchers have characterized the unique adaptive immune landscape of anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody-positive (MDA5⁺) dermatomyositis.

A new study demonstrates that a single-cell mass cytometry approach can provide a precise snapshot of how candidate drugs affect chondrocyte subpopulations from patients with osteoarthritis.

Disruption of a newly identified axis involved in the regulation of autophagy in chondrocytes is implicated in osteoarthritis.

Newly developed nanorods that enable photocatalytic intra-articular release of hydrogen prevent the development of collagen-induced arthritis in mice.

In a mouse model of lupus, treatment with CXCL5 reduces disease activity and promotes survival.

New research suggests therapies targeting neutrophil activation pathways could protect against arterial and venous thrombosis.

Results from a study of CAR T cell therapy in five patients with treatment-refractory systemic lupus erythematosus demonstrate the induction of sustained drug-free disease remission.

New research suggests that the transcription factor ETS1 expressed in fibroblasts regulates the tissue-destructive properties of these cells in multiple diseases, and could offer a novel therapeutic strategy.

Members of the Temporomandibular Joint Juvenile Arthritis Working group (TMJaw) provide a set of interdisciplinary recommendations for the management of TMJ arthritis.

A new study has identified an association of Thy-1 expression with skin fibrosis in systemic sclerosis, and has shown that Thy1 knockout in mice attenuates bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis.