Visfatin and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Pathogenetic Implications and Clinical Utility

Abstract

Objective: Analysis and generalization of data related to visfatin involvement in the pathogenesis of inflammation at various stages of rheumatoid arthritis. Data Synthesis: Visfatin is an adipocytokine which has also been identified in non-adipose tissues. It influences directly on the maturation of B cells, which are involved in autoantibody production and T cell activation. Visfatin can promote inflammation via regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF, IL-1β and IL-6. The concentration of circulating visfatin in rheumatoid arthritis patients is higher compared to healthy individuals. Several studies suggest that visfatin level is associated with rheumatoid arthritis activity, and its elevation may precede clinical signs of the relapse. In murine collagen-induced arthritis, visfatin levels were also found to be elevated both in inflamed synovial cells and in joint vasculature. Visfatin blockers have been shown to confer fast and long-term attenuation of pathological processes; however, most of their effects are transient. Other factors responsible for hyperactivation of the immune system can participate in this process at a later stage. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with a combination of these blockers and inhibitors of other mediators of inflammation can potentially improve treatment outcomes compared to current therapeutic strategies. Recent advances in the treatment of experimental arthritis in mice as well as the application of emerging treatment strategies obtained from oncology for rheumatoid arthritis management could be a source of novel adipokine-mediated anti-rheumatic drugs. Conclusion: The ongoing surge of interest in anticytokine therapy makes further study of visfatin highly relevant as it may serve as a base for innovational RA treatment.

Preclinical Characterization of Pharmacologic NAD+ Boosting as a Promising Therapeutic Approach in Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…Interestingly, NAMPT is also up-regulated extracellularly in RA and acts as a proinflammatory cytokine in the serum of these patients. Thus, it has also been postulated as a potential therapeutic target in RA (34,35).…”

Serum nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase as a novel biomarker for non-traumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head

“…In breast cancer patients, the levels of serum NAMPT were higher compared with healthy individuals, suggesting that serum NAMPT may be a diagnostic parameter for breast cancer [ 31 ]. Compared to normal control subjects, higher concentration of circulating NAMPT was also observed in rheumatoid arthritis [ 32 ], osteoarthritis [ 33 ], and osteoporosis [ 22 ]. BMSCs from patients with NONFH exhibited weaker ability of osteogenic differentiation [ 34 ].…”

Impact of Incretin-Based Therapies on Adipokines and Adiponectin

“…It is expressed in many organs and tissues such as bone marrow, chondrocytes, hepatic cells, muscle, brain, kidney, spleen, testis, and lung, but preferentially in visceral adipose tissue and macrophages [56]. Visfatin acts as a potent proinflammatory cytokine with immunomodulatory effects that is highly expressed in many inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, pneumonia, or irritable bowel syndrome [57][58][59]. In addition, it has complex molecular interactions with metabolic pathways and body homeostasis [60].…”