Are Chondrocytes the Target Cells of Glucocorticoid Therapy in Autoimmune Arthritis?

糖皮质激素（GCs）由于其对免疫细胞或滑膜成纤维细胞的作用而具有有效的抗炎和免疫调节作用，被广泛应用。最近，我们有了令人兴奋的发现，软骨细胞中糖皮质激素受体敲除的关节炎小鼠对糖皮质激素治疗完全耐药。这项研究将确定这些激素作用的机制，目的是找到有效治疗关节炎的新靶点。

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are widely used for their potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects due to the effects GCs on immune cells or synovial fibroblasts. Recently, we have made the exciting discovery that arthritis mice with glucocorticoid receptor knock-out in chondrocyte are completely resistant to glucocorticoid treatment. This study will identify the mechanisms underlying these hormonal effects with the aim to find new targets for efficient treatments for arthritis.