Induction of apoptosis of human osteoclasts by the transcription factor decoy (TFD) approach: relevance for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterised by the presence of an inflammatory synovitis accompanied by destruction of joint cartilage and bone. Several evidences, both in vitro and in animal models, indicate that osteoclasts (OCs) are key mediators of all forms of bone erosions and loss in RA. Interestingly, transcription factor decoy (TFD) oligonucleotides targeting nuclear factor κB (NF-kB) are able to induce apoptosis of human primary OCs. This effect is associated with an increase of caspase-3 and a decrease of interleukin-6 production. Therefore, the effects of NF-kB decoys on OCs may be relevant for the development of treatments of RA. Accordingly, several evidences suggest apoptosis as a target for therapy of this inflammatory disease.