Fig. 2.

Pathophysiological association between rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease. IL1 interleukin 1, IL6 interleukin 6, TNF-α tumor necrosis factor α, EC endothelial cells, SMC smooth muscle cells, MCP-1 monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, M-CSF macrophage colony-stimulating factor, V-CAM vascular cell adhesion molecule, I-CAM intercellular adhesion molecule, NSAIDs nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Cox-IBs cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors, HTN hypertension, PVR peripheral vascular resistance, TC total cholesterol, HDL high-density lipoprotein, LDL low-density lipoprotein, APOB apolipoprotein B, APOA apolipoprotein A, NF-kB nuclear factor-kappa B cells