The therapeutic potential of proteinase-activated receptors in arthritis.

Kathryn McIntosh, Robin Plevin, William R. Ferrell, John Lockhart

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Proteinase-activated receptors are a family of seven-transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptors. Activation of PARs is initiated through cleavage of the N-terminus, unmasking a tethered ligand that can then interact with the receptor and lead to its activation. PARs exhibit both anti- and pro-inflammatory properties, although recent evidence has pointed towards a detrimental role for PARs, particularly PAR-2, in arthritis. Initial research using PAR-2 knockout mice identified PAR-2 as a key mediator of chronic joint inflammation. Further research examined the role of PAR-2 in human articular cell types, demonstrating upregulation of PAR-2 in cells from an inflammatory background compared with non-inflammatory cells, with PAR-2 levels being further upregulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. To date, there is no clinical evidence of a role for PAR-2 in vivo in humans, although recent studies utilizing human joint tissue and articular cells are emerging.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)334-338
Number of pages5
JournalCurrent Opinion in Pharmacology
Volume56
Issue number3
Early online date21 Mar 2007
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Jun 2007

Keywords

  • PAR2
  • Arthritis
  • Proteinase-activated receptor

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