Although certain biological therapies, including protein and antibodies targeting inflammatory factors such as the tumor necrosis factor, are effective in reducing symptoms of Rhematoid Arthritis (RA), these treatments do not reverse disease. Recently, nanosized, endocytic-derived membrane vesicles “exosomes” have been demonstrated to function in cell-to-cell communication and to possess potent immunoregulatory properties. This article discusses the potential of immunosuppressive exosomes for treating RA.
Conventional therapies for RA like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, so-called “disease-modifying medications” (DMARDs), and surgery are mostly palliative, can cause significant side effects, and offer no cure for the disease. Currently, several different biologics, in particular, inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α), are the leading drugs for treating RA.…
