一种新的治疗类风湿关节炎的潜在靶点IL-18

类风湿关节炎（RA）是一种以关节滑膜炎为特征、以对称性多关节炎为主要临床表现的异质性、系统性、慢性炎症性疾病，严重影响了健康和生活质量，但其发病机制目前还不甚清楚，临床尚缺乏理想的治疗方法。白细胞介素-18（IL-18）是近年来新发现的一种前炎性细胞因子，属于IL-1家族，研究表明其在RA的发病中发挥了重要作用，是临床治疗RA的潜在靶点。现就I-．18的生物学特性及其与RA的关系作一综述。

Interleukin-18 and the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, heterogeneous, systematic inflammatory disease , and is characterized by persistent and progressive synovitis of peripheral joints, leading to destruction of cartilage. The pathogenesis of RA remains unclear. Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a novel proinflammatory cytokine that was recently found in synovial fluids and synovial tissues from patients with RA. Some studies suggested that it might play an important role in the pathogenesis of RA and be a potential target for RA treatment. The bioactivity of IL-18 and its relationship with RA were reviewed.