Axial Spondyloarthritis
Axial spondyloarthritis is an inflammatory condition involving the sacroiliac joints, spine, and peripheral joints.
This narrative review discusses the pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of axial spondyloarthritis.
Multiple mechanisms play a role in the pathogenesis of axial spondyloarthritis, including HLA-B27, gut microbiome, and mechanical stress.
The interaction between dendritic cells and CD8+ T cells, as well as the activation of CD4+ T cells, promote an inflammatory cascade characterized by the production of several cytokines including interleukin (IL) 23, IL-22, IL-17, and tumor necrosis factor.
With chronic inflammation, new bone formation will occur. This is thought to be due to mesenchymal cell proliferation leading to osteoblast differentiation, mediated by multiple signaling pathways including Wnt, bone morphogenetic protein, and hedgehog.
