Publications

This review describes the role of various cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and related diseases. This includes an overview of the different types of cytokine receptors including type I, which bind some of the interleukins (ILs), colony stimulating factors (CSFs) and hormones such as erythropoietin, prolactin and growth hormone (GH); and type II, which bind to interferons and IL-10-related proteins. In addition, the cytoplasmic domain of type I and II cytokine receptors bind to members of a specific kinase family of proteins, the Janus kinases (Jaks). These Jak proteins play an imporatnt role in intracellular signal transduction and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of RA. A number of different inhibitor proteins are in clinical development and are reviewed in this article including ruxolitinib, baracitinib, and tofacitinib. The future role of Jak inhibitors in RA and other autoimmune conditions is also discussed.