Activation of the immune system and inflammatory activity in relation to markers of atherothrombotic disease and atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract

Several different etiopathogenic mechanisms for increased cardiovascular mortality in RA are implicated. Continuous endothelial activation is suggested by increased levels of adhesion molecules sICAM-1 and sE-selectin, which correlate with hemostatic factors of endothelial origin and with T cell activation as measured by IL2sR alpha. That factor analysis showed loadings of one variable on antilipid antibodies and plaque and another on T cell activation and plaque indicates that the immune system is involved in the development of atherosclerosis in RA.