Induction of apoptosis of human osteoclasts by the transcription factor decoy approach: relevance for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

摘要

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterised by the presence of an inflammatory synovitis accompanied by destruction of joint cartilage and bone. Several evidences, both in vitro and hi animal models, indicate that osteoclasts (OCs) are key mediators of all forms of bone erosions and loss hi RA. Interestingly, transcription factor decoy (TFD) oligonucleotid.es targeting nuclear factor KB (NF-kB) are able to induce apoptosis of human primary OCs. This effect is associated with an increase of caspase-3 and a decrease of interleukin-6 production. Therefore, the effects of NF-kB decoys on OCs may be relevant for the development of treatments of RA. Accordingly, several evidences suggest apoptosis as a target for therapy of this inflammatory disease.