ABSTRACT
Tissue remodeling is a central feature of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It essentially contributes to a progressive loss of joint function and leads to severe crippling that characterizes the high burden of disease. Tissue remodeling in RA is a complex mechanism and is composed of three major pathophysiological events: (i) growth, spreading, and invasion of inflammatory synovial tissue; (ii) destruction of cartilage; and (iii) bone erosion. All three processes are based on a common underlying mechanism, which is the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM).
