Rheumatoid nodulosis during methotrexate therapy in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Mod Rheumatol. 2006;16(6):401-3. doi: 10.1007/s10165-006-0522-2. Epub 2006 Dec 20.

Abstract

We report a 62-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who developed nodulosis after methotrexate (MTX) treatment. The epithelioid cells of nodules were positive for matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, and Ki67. The synovial tissues obtained from the same patient were negative for MMP-3, MMP-9, and Ki67. This study demonstrated that MTX-induced nodules are different from synovial tissues in terms of MMP expression, suggesting the presence of different pathologic mechanisms and differential MTX susceptibility.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / metabolism
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / pathology*
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Epithelioid Cells / metabolism
  • Epithelioid Cells / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Ki-67 Antigen / metabolism
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases / metabolism
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Rheumatoid Nodule / chemically induced
  • Rheumatoid Nodule / metabolism
  • Rheumatoid Nodule / pathology*
  • Synovial Membrane / drug effects
  • Synovial Membrane / metabolism
  • Synovial Membrane / pathology

Substances

  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • Ki-67 Antigen
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases
  • Methotrexate