AccScience Publishing / GPD / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/GPD025340064
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REVIEW ARTICLE

Comparative roles of mesenchymal stem cells and fibroblast-like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis

Amna Shakoor1* ,  Muhammad Danial Wazir2 ,  Hamayun Khan3 ,  Farakh Munir4 ,  Furqan Munir5*
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1 Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture of China, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
2 Department of Internal Medicine, Aziz Fatimah Medical and Dental College, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
3 Department of Research and Development, Sami Pharmaceuticals, Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan
4 Department of Research and Development, Air Pharmaceuticals, Kasur, Punjab, Pakistan
5 Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
GPD, 025340064 https://doi.org/10.36922/GPD025340064
Received: 20 August 2025 | Revised: 10 September 2025 | Accepted: 24 September 2025 | Published online: 15 October 2025
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
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Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease affecting a large population worldwide. A strong inflammatory response at the articulation point causes significant joint and bone destruction in RA. It progresses with aging. The prevalence of RA is higher in women and older people. It mainly affects the joint, causing pain and inflammation. Conventional methods, primarily modifying rheumatic drugs and glucocorticoids, are the main therapies, while new methods are being developed and investigated. The fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) are involved in the pathogenesis of RA. By activating immune cells, they contribute to a joint environment characterized by inflammation and tissue death. Regenerative medicine is used to restore the normal functions of the cells or body. Specifically, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and MSC-derived exosomes have the potential to inhibit pathways that facilitate the erosion of tissues or cartilages, while also ameliorating the autoimmune response and promoting tissue regeneration. Owing to their ability to reduce inflammation, they can be used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Therefore, the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of MSCs have made them promising candidates in preclinical and early clinical investigations for RA. In this review, the potential role of FLSs in the pathogenesis of RA and their inhibition by MSCs are discussed.

Keywords
Regeneration of bone
Stem cells
Autoimmune diseases
Synovitis
Funding
None.
Conflict of interest
Hamayun Khan is employed by Sami Pharmaceuticals. Farakh Munir is employed by Air Pharmaceuticals. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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