Volume 18 Issue 1, January 2022

Researchers have found that hypoxia in articular cartilage is associated with expression of DOT1L, which protects against cartilage damage in a mouse model of osteoarthritis.

New research suggests that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) might contribute to spondyloarthritis (SpA) by enhancing type 3 immunity, and could be a potential therapeutic target.

A new study suggests that DNMT3A mutations associated with clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential are linked to osteoporosis through IL-20-mediated osteoclastogenesis.

A new study shows that resident memory T cells that accumulate in the synovium of arthritic joints contribute to site-specific disease flare, and could present a new therapeutic target.

Inhibition of the soluble epoxide hydrolase enzyme prevents metabolism of anti-inflammatory epoxyeicosatrienoic acids and reduces pain in a mouse model of osteoarthritis.

Smoking during adulthood is a known risk factor for seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but how exposure to passive smoking affects RA risk is uncertain. New data from the Nurses’ Health Study on passive smoking over a lifetime suggest childhood exposure could be an important factor for future RA development.

Differentiating between the early stages of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) can be challenging. In this Review, the authors summarize current knowledge on UCTD and early-stage SLE and discuss clinical approaches to diagnosing these conditions.

Vasculitis, inflammation of the blood vessels, takes many forms and can affect every organ system, potentially causing kidney failure, vision loss and death. This Review describes current knowledge on the global incidence and prevalence patterns for various types of vasculitis.

Knee joint distraction (KJD) is used to stimulate joint repair in advanced osteoarthritis. In the Review, Jansen and Mastbergen provide an overview of the clinical trial results of KJD treatment, current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying joint repair in KJD, and future directions and unanswered questions in KJD research and treatment.

In this Review, the authors discuss the immunometabolic alterations involved in the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration, including the role of adipokines in impaired metabolism in intervertebral disc cells, and discuss opportunities for future research and development of new therapies.