The roles of regulatory T cells in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterised by chronic inflammation of joints,bone and cartilage erosion,synovial hyperplasia.The pathogenesis of RA is not clear.The effector T cells called helper T cells and the imbalance of secreting cytokines level might be an important mechanism of RA.In addition,as a type of immune suppressing T cell,regulatory T cells (Treg) play an important role in mediating immune homeostasis and maintaining self-immune tolerance,as well as controllong the progress of diseases.Therefore,further research on the roles of different subtypes of Treg with RA may provide new ideas for the treatment of RA. Key words: Regulatory T cell;  Rheumatoid arthritis