Metabolic Reprogramming in Stromal and Immune Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis: Therapeutic Possibilities

Abstract

Metabolic reprogramming of stromal cells, including fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) and chondrocytes, as well as osteoclasts (OCs), are involved in the inflammatory and degenerative processes underlying rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). In RA, FLS exhibit mTOR activation, enhanced glycolysis and reduced oxidative phosphorylation, fuelling inflammation, angiogenesis, and cartilage degradation. In OA, chondrocytes undergo metabolic rewiring, characterised by mTOR and NF-κB activation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased glycolysis, which promotes matrix metalloproteinase production, extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, and angiogenesis. Macrophage-derived immunometabolites, including succinate and itaconate further modulate stromal cell function, acting as signalling molecules that modulate inflammatory and catabolic processes. Succinate promotes inflammation whilst itaconate is anti-inflammatory, suppressing inflammatory joint disease in models. Itaconate deficiency also correlates inversely with disease severity in RA in humans. Emerging evidence highlights the potential of targeting metabolic processes as promising therapeutic strategies for connective tissue disorders.