The Inflammatory Link of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Thrombosis: Pathogenic Molecular Circuits and Treatment Approaches

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by systemic inflammation that primarily affects the joints but can also involve extra-articular organs. Its multifactorial etiology remains incompletely understood, necessitating further investigation into its underlying mechani...

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Main Authors: Theodora Adamantidi, Maria Stavroula Pisioti, Sofia Pitsouni, Chatzikamari Maria, Karamanis Georgios, Vasiliki Dania, Nikolaos Vordos, Xenophon Krokidis, Alexandros Tsoupras
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Current Issues in Molecular Biology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/4/291
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author Theodora Adamantidi
Maria Stavroula Pisioti
Sofia Pitsouni
Chatzikamari Maria
Karamanis Georgios
Vasiliki Dania
Nikolaos Vordos
Xenophon Krokidis
Alexandros Tsoupras
author_facet Theodora Adamantidi
Maria Stavroula Pisioti
Sofia Pitsouni
Chatzikamari Maria
Karamanis Georgios
Vasiliki Dania
Nikolaos Vordos
Xenophon Krokidis
Alexandros Tsoupras
author_sort Theodora Adamantidi
collection DOAJ
description Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by systemic inflammation that primarily affects the joints but can also involve extra-articular organs. Its multifactorial etiology remains incompletely understood, necessitating further investigation into its underlying mechanisms. The primary therapeutic goal in RA management is to achieve disease remission or maintain low RA activity to prevent long-term morbidity. RA therapies aim to mitigate joint damage, reduce disability, and prevent systemic complications such as cardiovascular diseases. In addition to pharmacological treatments, non-pharmacological interventions—including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and lifestyle modifications such as smoking cessation, regular exercise, and adherence to a balanced diet—play a crucial role in managing the disease. Beyond joint inflammation, RA has been strongly associated with an increased risk of thrombosis, contributing significantly to both morbidity and mortality. The link between RA and thrombotic events arises from a complex interplay of inflammatory pathways, endothelial dysfunction, and coagulation abnormalities. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms driving the association between thrombo-inflammatory manifestations and the incidence of RA, the impact of RA treatment on thrombosis prevalence, and potential therapeutic strategies for managing both conditions concurrently. By integrating recent advancements in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathophysiology and thrombo-inflammatory research, this paper provides a comprehensive resource on the inflammatory link between RA and thrombosis while discussing and comparing current and emerging treatment approaches. Further investigation into these mechanisms could facilitate the development of targeted therapies that reduce the risk of thrombosis in patients with RA.
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spelling doaj-art-d1f425b978e64c148b04db4e23b351082025-08-20T02:28:12ZengMDPI AGCurrent Issues in Molecular Biology1467-30371467-30452025-04-0147429110.3390/cimb47040291The Inflammatory Link of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Thrombosis: Pathogenic Molecular Circuits and Treatment ApproachesTheodora Adamantidi0Maria Stavroula Pisioti1Sofia Pitsouni2Chatzikamari Maria3Karamanis Georgios4Vasiliki Dania5Nikolaos Vordos6Xenophon Krokidis7Alexandros Tsoupras8Hephaestus Laboratory, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Kavala University Campus, St Lucas, 65404 Kavala, GreeceHephaestus Laboratory, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Kavala University Campus, St Lucas, 65404 Kavala, GreeceHephaestus Laboratory, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Kavala University Campus, St Lucas, 65404 Kavala, GreeceHematology, Biochemistry and Internal Medicine Departments, General Hospital of Kavala, St Silas, 65500 Kavala, GreeceHematology, Biochemistry and Internal Medicine Departments, General Hospital of Kavala, St Silas, 65500 Kavala, GreeceFirst Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ATTIKON University General Hospital, 12462 Athens, GreeceBiophysics Laboratory, School of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Kavala University Campus, St Lucas, 65404 Kavala, GreeceHematology, Biochemistry and Internal Medicine Departments, General Hospital of Kavala, St Silas, 65500 Kavala, GreeceHephaestus Laboratory, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Kavala University Campus, St Lucas, 65404 Kavala, GreeceRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by systemic inflammation that primarily affects the joints but can also involve extra-articular organs. Its multifactorial etiology remains incompletely understood, necessitating further investigation into its underlying mechanisms. The primary therapeutic goal in RA management is to achieve disease remission or maintain low RA activity to prevent long-term morbidity. RA therapies aim to mitigate joint damage, reduce disability, and prevent systemic complications such as cardiovascular diseases. In addition to pharmacological treatments, non-pharmacological interventions—including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and lifestyle modifications such as smoking cessation, regular exercise, and adherence to a balanced diet—play a crucial role in managing the disease. Beyond joint inflammation, RA has been strongly associated with an increased risk of thrombosis, contributing significantly to both morbidity and mortality. The link between RA and thrombotic events arises from a complex interplay of inflammatory pathways, endothelial dysfunction, and coagulation abnormalities. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms driving the association between thrombo-inflammatory manifestations and the incidence of RA, the impact of RA treatment on thrombosis prevalence, and potential therapeutic strategies for managing both conditions concurrently. By integrating recent advancements in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathophysiology and thrombo-inflammatory research, this paper provides a comprehensive resource on the inflammatory link between RA and thrombosis while discussing and comparing current and emerging treatment approaches. Further investigation into these mechanisms could facilitate the development of targeted therapies that reduce the risk of thrombosis in patients with RA.https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/4/291rheumatoid arthritisautoimmune diseasesinflammationthrombosisvenous thromboembolic eventsanticoagulants
spellingShingle Theodora Adamantidi
Maria Stavroula Pisioti
Sofia Pitsouni
Chatzikamari Maria
Karamanis Georgios
Vasiliki Dania
Nikolaos Vordos
Xenophon Krokidis
Alexandros Tsoupras
The Inflammatory Link of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Thrombosis: Pathogenic Molecular Circuits and Treatment Approaches
Current Issues in Molecular Biology
rheumatoid arthritis
autoimmune diseases
inflammation
thrombosis
venous thromboembolic events
anticoagulants
title The Inflammatory Link of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Thrombosis: Pathogenic Molecular Circuits and Treatment Approaches
title_full The Inflammatory Link of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Thrombosis: Pathogenic Molecular Circuits and Treatment Approaches
title_fullStr The Inflammatory Link of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Thrombosis: Pathogenic Molecular Circuits and Treatment Approaches
title_full_unstemmed The Inflammatory Link of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Thrombosis: Pathogenic Molecular Circuits and Treatment Approaches
title_short The Inflammatory Link of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Thrombosis: Pathogenic Molecular Circuits and Treatment Approaches
title_sort inflammatory link of rheumatoid arthritis and thrombosis pathogenic molecular circuits and treatment approaches
topic rheumatoid arthritis
autoimmune diseases
inflammation
thrombosis
venous thromboembolic events
anticoagulants
url https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/4/291
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