Vascular endothelial growth factor expression by activated synovial leukocytes in rheumatoid arthritis: Critical involvement of the interaction with synovial fibroblasts

Abstract

VEGF expression within inflamed joints thus appears to be regulated not only by inflammatory cytokines, but also by the physical interaction of activated leukocytes and FLS. Once expressed, VEGF likely plays a crucial role in the neovascularization of the pannus and the progressive joint destruction associated with the synovial inflammation of RA.