Crystal-Induced Arthritis: Pathogenetic Mechanisms and Clinical Advances

Dear Colleagues,

Crystal-induced arthritis represents one of the most common joint diseases worldwide. The inflammatory process, which is triggered by pathogenic crystals, including urate and calcium crystals, causes intense acute attacks with pain and systemic inflammatory symptoms. When left untreated, this condition leads to irreversible joint damage. Given its unique features, including its abrupt onset and spontaneous resolution, crystal-induced arthritis has represented a fascinating model of acute inflammation for years. In the last two decades, experimental and translational research in this field has contributed to improving our knowledge on the molecular mechanisms that are associated with different disease phases and to expand the pharmacological options for patients. Thus, the identification of IL-1β as the most important cytokine that orchestrates crystal-induced inflammation, especially in gout- and pyrophosphate calcium crystal-related flare-ups, has provided new therapeutic options for patients who are not responsive or who present important side effects to traditional therapies. Despite the progress that has been made so far, unmet needs persist in this field and are mainly linked to calcium crystal-deposition diseases. The lack of effective treatments makes calcium-related arthropathies a challenging area that certainly needs further and future advances. With this Topic, we would like to invite authors to contribute original research articles as well as review articles focused on recent findings on the mechanisms, clinical and genetic aspects, prevention, and management of crystal-induced arthritis.

Dr. Francesca Oliviero
Dr. Hang Korng Ea
Topic Editors