Rheumatoid arthritis
Core of basic research: Explore the initiation and amplification mechanisms of chronic synovial inflammation, focusing on cytokine (TNF-α/IL-6/IL-17)-mediated synoviocyte proliferation, osteoclast activation (RANKL/RANK), and the driving role of immune complex deposition in joint damage.
Core key proteins: TNF-α/IL-6/IL-1β/IL-17 (core pro-inflammatory cytokines driving synovitis), STAT3/NF-κB (transcription factors for inflammatory signals), MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases degrading joint cartilage), CD40/CD40L (activation signals for immune cells), RANKL (activates osteoclasts leading to bone destruction), JAK (kinase for cytokine signal transduction).