Inflammation and arthritis: perspectives of the glycobiologist

This review focuses on the role of glycosylation during the development of joint inflammation and degeneration. Although glycoproteins and glycan-binding proteins have essential functions in bone and cartilage, and in the inflammatory process, their exact roles are still uncertain due to the vast complexity of carbohydrate structures. Glycosylated epitopes have been shown to play a role in the induction of arthritis in animal models. Currently available drugs are aimed at the protection of cartilage and bone structures but new developments in this area should take into account the tight and specific interactions between bone and cartilage. It is anticipated that new agents will help to remodel damaged joints, based on knowledge of cartilage and bone turnover and on the exact role of glycosylated molecules and cell surface receptor glycoproteins in these processes. Highly sensitive imaging techniques and well-characterized in vivo models will accelerate this development.