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Molecular Advances and Perspectives in Rheumatic Diseases
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Molecular Advances and Perspectives in Rheumatic Diseases

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Immunology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 October 2025 | Viewed by 4231

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Luciana Breda

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Paediatric Department, University of Chieti “G. D’Annunzio”, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Interests: juvenile idiopathic arthritis; hypersensitivity vasculitis; psoriatic arthritis; rheumatic fever

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recent advancements in molecular biology have significantly improved our understanding of rheumatic diseases, providing new perspectives on their diagnosis and treatment. This Special Issue aims to highlight the molecular mechanisms underlying rheumatic diseases and explore novel therapeutic approaches.

Rheumatic diseases encompass a wide range of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions affecting joints, muscles, and connective tissues. The complexity of these diseases requires a multidisciplinary approach to uncover the molecular pathways involved and to develop targeted therapies.

This Special Issue will highlight the latest research on molecular advances in rheumatic diseases, covering various aspects such as genetic predisposition, molecular signaling pathways, immune system dysregulation, and innovative therapeutic strategies. We invite original research articles and reviews that contribute to generating a deeper understanding of the molecular basis of rheumatic diseases and present new perspectives for their management.

Research topics may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Molecular and cellular mechanisms in rheumatic disease pathogenesis, including genetic and epigenetic factors.
  • Role of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators in rheumatic diseases.
  • Advances in molecular diagnostics and biomarkers for early detection and monitoring of disease progression.
  • Therapeutic applications of molecular biology, including biologics and small molecule inhibitors.
  • Emerging molecular targets for drug development in rheumatic diseases.
  • Impact of environmental and lifestyle factors on molecular mechanisms in rheumatic diseases.

Dr. Luciana Breda
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • rheumatic diseases
  • molecular biology
  • inflammatory pathways
  • cytokines
  • molecular diagnostics
  • biologics
  • drug development
  • genetic factors
  • epigenetics
  • environmental influences

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 8483 KiB  
Article
Comparative Efficacy of Exosomes Derived from Different Mesenchymal Stem Cell Sources in Osteoarthritis Models: An In Vitro and Ex Vivo Analysis
by Jaishree Sankaranarayanan, Hyung Keun Kim, Ju Yeon Kang, Sree Samanvitha Kuppa, Hong Yeol Yang and Jong Keun Seon
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(12), 5447; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26125447 - 6 Jun 2025
Viewed by 409
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent and debilitating joint disorder that affects a substantial proportion of the global population, underscoring the urgent need for therapeutic strategies that extend beyond symptomatic management. Although mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic modality, their [...] Read more.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent and debilitating joint disorder that affects a substantial proportion of the global population, underscoring the urgent need for therapeutic strategies that extend beyond symptomatic management. Although mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic modality, their clinical application remains constrained by several inherent limitations. This study explores a cell-free alternative by investigating the therapeutic potential of exosomes derived from bone marrow (BMSCs), adipose tissue (ADSCs), and umbilical cord (UMSCs) MSCs in mitigating OA pathogenesis, utilizing both in vitro and ex vivo models. Exosomes from each MSC source were isolated and characterized through nanoparticle tracking analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and Western blotting to confirm their identity and purity. Subsequently, their chondroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties were systematically assessed through evaluations of cell viability, expression profiles of inflammatory and chondroprotective markers, and chondrocyte migration assays. The results demonstrate that all three types of MSC-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) exhibit low cytotoxicity while significantly suppressing proinflammatory markers and enhancing the expression of chondroprotective genes. Notably, BMSC-Exos and UMSC-Exos displayed superior efficacy in attenuating inflammation, promoting cartilage protection, and inhibiting chondrocyte apoptosis. Furthermore, all MSC-Exos markedly enhanced chondrocyte motility, a critical component of cartilage repair. Collectively, these findings support the therapeutic promise of MSC-Exos, particularly those derived from BMSCs and UMSCs, as a targeted, cell-free approach for the treatment of OA compared to ADSCs. By modulating inflammation, promoting cartilage regeneration, and preventing chondrocyte apoptosis, MSC-Exos may serve as a viable and scalable alternative to current MSC-based therapies for this widespread degenerative disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances and Perspectives in Rheumatic Diseases)
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19 pages, 5816 KiB  
Article
Transcriptomic Analysis of Blood Collagen-Induced Arthritis Mice Exposed to 0.1 THz Reveals Inhibition of Genes and Pathways Involved in Rheumatoid Arthritis
by Mactar Ndiaga Dione, Qi Zhang, Sen Shang and Xiaoyun Lu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(23), 12812; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252312812 - 28 Nov 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1160
Abstract
Inflammation plays an essential role in the phases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as the joints secrete a range of molecules that modulate the inflammatory process. While therapies based on physical properties have shown effectiveness in a range of animal experimental models, the understanding [...] Read more.
Inflammation plays an essential role in the phases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as the joints secrete a range of molecules that modulate the inflammatory process. While therapies based on physical properties have shown effectiveness in a range of animal experimental models, the understanding of their biological mechanisms remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of a 0.1 terahertz (THz) wave in rheumatoid arthritis in an attempt to dissect the molecular pathways implicated. The collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis (CIA) model joint mice were irradiated daily for 30 min over a period of 2 weeks with continuous 0.1 terahertz waves. High-throughput bulk RNA sequencing of the murine blood was performed to analyze and characterize the differences in gene expression changes between the control (Ctrl), CIA (RA), and CIA exposed to THz. Differentially expressed genes, canonical pathway analysis, gene set enrichment, and protein–protein interaction were further run on the selected DEGs. We found that terahertz exposure downregulated gene ontologies representing the “TGF-β signaling pathway”, “apoptosis”, “activation of T cell receptor signaling pathway”, and “non-canonical NF-κB signal transduction”. These observations were further confirmed by a decreased level in the expression of transcription factors Nfib and Nfatc3, and an increased level of Lsp1. In addition, the expression of Mmp8 was significantly restored. These results indicate that THz ultimately attenuates the inflammatory response of hemocytes through the T cell and NF-κB pathway, and these changes are reverberated in the blood transcriptome. In this first report of transcriptome sequencing in a model of rheumatoid arthritis exposed to terahertz waves, the downregulated DEGs were associated with anti-inflammatory effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances and Perspectives in Rheumatic Diseases)
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Review

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15 pages, 676 KiB  
Review
The Diagnostic Role of Skin Manifestations in Rheumatic Diseases in Children: A Critical Review of Paediatric Vasculitis
by Armando Di Ludovico, Marta Rinaldi, Federico Lauriola, Francesca Ciarelli, Saverio La Bella, Giulio Gualdi, Francesco Chiarelli, Kathryn Bailey and Luciana Breda
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(13), 7323; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25137323 - 3 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2274
Abstract
Skin lesions are frequently observed in children with rheumatic diseases, particularly in conditions such as IgA vasculitis (IgAV) and Kawasaki disease (KD). In paediatric vasculitis, the presence of skin lesions serves as an early indicator, emphasising the importance of timely diagnosis to prevent [...] Read more.
Skin lesions are frequently observed in children with rheumatic diseases, particularly in conditions such as IgA vasculitis (IgAV) and Kawasaki disease (KD). In paediatric vasculitis, the presence of skin lesions serves as an early indicator, emphasising the importance of timely diagnosis to prevent complications, such as cardiac or renal involvement. Conversely, autoinflammatory disorders like juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and juvenile dermatomyositis (DM) may manifest with cutaneous manifestations either at the onset of disease or during its progression. Identifying these skin lesions prior to the appearance of systemic symptoms offers an opportunity for early diagnosis and treatment, which has a positive influence on the outcomes. Additionally, it is noteworthy that specific rheumatological conditions, such as acute rheumatic fever (ARF) or oligoarticular or polyarticular forms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), may exhibit occasional, but significant skin involvement, which is strongly correlated with an unfavourable prognosis. The assessment of skin is important in the holist approach to assessing patients for potentially systemic/multisystem disorder and helps distinguish discrete conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances and Perspectives in Rheumatic Diseases)
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