Editorial [Hot Topic: Rheumatoid Arthritis (Executive Editor: Harris Perlman)]

We wish to thank all the authors for their contribution to this year's edition on Rheumatoid Arthritis in Current Pharmaceutical design. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex autoimmune disease of unknown etiology. The authors assembled in this review will help shed new light on the recent molecular advances in RA at the basic science level and at the clinical level. Meinecke et al. [1] will review the impact that synovial fibroblasts have on joint inflammation and bone erosion. These authors will focus on the various transcription factors and anti-apoptotic genes that are expressed in RA synovial fibroblasts. Ma et al. [2] will review the role of macrophages in RA. Due to their ability to produce TNF and IL-1, macrophages have come to the forefront of investigations in RA. These authors will expand on the novel concept that antiapoptotic proteins in addition to suppressing death also regulate cytokine production. Tas et al. [3] will review the recent advances in signal transduction molecules in RA. These authors will detail the significance of the MAPK, NF-kB, Akt, and the STAT pathways in RA. Rudolph et al. [4] will review the role of angiogenesis in RA. The authors will also focus on the contribution of chemokines to RA pathogenesis. Dr. Michael Volin [5] will review the function of soluble adhesion molecules in inflammatory RA. The impact of individual soluble adhesion molecules in RA will be discussed in great detail. Low et al. [6] will review the contribution of B-cells, specifically autoantibody production in RA. Additionally, these authors will detail the role that the complement pathways play in RA pathogenesis. In the last review Dr. Eric Ruderman [4] will expand on the recent advances in RA therapy including the biologics.