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* <spoiler text="The exact pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not known. What are some of the factors that are associated with RA?">Genetic susceptibility, exposure to a primary exogenous arthritogen, an autoimmune reaction within the synovial membranes, and release of cytokines that mediate joint damage.</spoiler>
* <spoiler text="What is rheumatoid factor?">IgM antibodies (perhaps originating from the joints) that are directed against the Fc portion of autologous IgG.</spoiler>
== Additional Resources ==
=== Reference ===
* [http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/331715-overview eMedicine Medical Library: Rheumatoid Arthritis]
* [http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/musculoskeletal_and_connective_tissue_disorders/joint_disorders/rheumatoid_arthritis_ra.html Merck Manual: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)]
* [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/rheumatoidarthritis.html#nlmnihresources National Library of Medicine: Rheumatoid Arthritis]
=== Journal Articles ===
* Carter RA, O'Donnell K, Sachthep S, Cicuttini F, Boyd AW, Wicks IP. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11564149 Characterization of a human synovial cell antigen: VCAM-1 and inflammatory arthritis]. ''Immunol Cell Biol'' 2001 Oct;79(5):419-28.
=== Images ===
* [http://peir.path.uab.edu/library/index.php?/tags/473-rheumatoid_arthritis PEIR Digital Library: Rheumatoid Arthritis Images]
== Related IPLab Cases ==
* [[IPLab:Lab 5:Gout|Lab 5: Gout]]
{{IPLab 6}}
[[Category: IPLab:Lab 6]]
