The regulation of synovial macrophage functions by miRNAs in rheumatoid arthritis patients

• Grant number: 12/06891-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: November 30, 2012
• End date: November 29, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Renê Donizeti Ribeiro de Oliveira
• Grantee: Renê Donizeti Ribeiro de Oliveira
• Host Investigator: Iain B. McInnes
• Host Institution: Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da USP (HCMRP). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Glasgow, Scotland

Abstract

New therapeutic options for rheumatoid arthritis have arisen, despite of this several patients still exhibit progressive joint damage. Biomarkers of prognostic and therapeutic response become necessary as well more specific and effective therapies driven by physiopathology. The synovial macrophages have a pivotal role in the physiopathology of joint damage, being essential for the beginning of acquired immunity against synovial tissue as antigen presenting cells, besides their function at the tissue injury. The RNA interference arose in the past decade, emerging the concept of post-transcriptional modulation of gene expression by small single-stranded RNA molecules. These microRNA constitute interesting possibility for refining our understanding in mechanisms of disease and in the search for more restrictive and specific therapeutic approaches. Several studies have showed the relevance of microRNA for the inflammation and immune system modulation in rheumatoid arthritis, with real possibilities for therapeutic interventions. We aim to study macrophages from synovia and synovial fluid, and the modulation of their functions by microRNA, searching for elucidation about intracellular pathways (production of cytokines and inflammatory mediators) that might bring therapeutic possibilities. (AU)