Role of Semaphorins in Immunopathologies and Rheumatic Diseases

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Samuel Garcia¹ 

[1] Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology and Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands;

关键词: rheumatic diseases;    semaphorins;    therapeutic targets;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms20020374

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Rheumatic diseases are disorders characterized by joint inflammation, in which other organs are also affected. There are more than two hundred rheumatic diseases, the most studied so far are rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, spondyloarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic sclerosis. The semaphorin family is a large group of proteins initially described as axon guidance molecules involved in nervous system development. Studies have demonstrated that semaphorins play a role in other processes such as the regulation of immunity, angiogenesis, bone remodeling, apoptosis, and cell migration and invasion. Moreover, semaphorins have been related to the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis, asthma, Alzheimer, myocarditis, atherosclerosis, fibrotic diseases, osteopetrosis, and cancer. The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge regarding the role of semaphorins in rheumatic diseases, and discuss their potential applications as therapeutic targets to treat these disorders.

【 授权许可】

Unknown