Synovial Microenvironment and Fluorescence Imaging for Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis

Hua Wang; Pan Zhou; Huixiang Chen; Jiachen Zheng; Linlin Wei; Jiabin Chen; Yu Lei

doi:10.1016/j.jpha.2025.101509

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Hua Wang, Pan Zhou, Huixiang Chen, Jiachen Zheng, Linlin Wei, Jiabin Chen, Yu Lei. Synovial Microenvironment and Fluorescence Imaging for Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis[J]. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis. doi: 10.1016/j.jpha.2025.101509

Citation:

Hua Wang, Pan Zhou, Huixiang Chen, Jiachen Zheng, Linlin Wei, Jiabin Chen, Yu Lei. Synovial Microenvironment and Fluorescence Imaging for Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis[J]. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis. doi: 10.1016/j.jpha.2025.101509

Citation:

Hua Wang, Pan Zhou, Huixiang Chen, Jiachen Zheng, Linlin Wei, Jiabin Chen, Yu Lei. Synovial Microenvironment and Fluorescence Imaging for Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis[J]. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis. doi: 10.1016/j.jpha.2025.101509

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Synovial Microenvironment and Fluorescence Imaging for Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis

doi: 10.1016/j.jpha.2025.101509

Hua Wang^a,b,
Pan Zhou^a,b,
Huixiang Chen^c,d,
Jiachen Zheng^c,d,
Linlin Wei^e,
Jiabin Chen^f,
Yu Lei^{a,g
,
,}

a. Chengdu Rheumatology Hospital, Chengdu, 610072, China;
b. Chengdu University of Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China;
c. Zhengzhou Gout and Rheumatology Hospital, Zhengzhou, 610000, China;
d. School of Clinical Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China;
e. Guiyang Ankylosing Hospital, Guiyang, 550005, China;
f. Harbin Ankylosing Rheumatism Hospital, Harbin, 150028, China;
g. School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China

Funds:

This study was supported in part by the Special Project for Traditional Chinese Medicine Research of Sichuan Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China (Grant No.: 2020LC0010) and Chengdu Medical Research Project , China (Project No.:2024568)

Received Date: Apr. 21, 2025
Accepted Date: Dec. 01, 2025
Rev Recd Date: Nov. 26, 2025
Available Online: Dec. 04, 2025

Abstract

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease that primarily affects the joints and surrounding soft tissues. Early diagnosis is crucial for preventing joint damage and improving the prognosis and quality of life in RA patients. Therefore, this article reviews conventional diagnostic methods, such as serologic tests (including rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA), and anti-carbamylated protein (anti-CarP)) and imaging tests and also focuses on innovations in AI-driven diagnostic and therapeutic technologies. Additionally, we provide insights into new biomarkers (including macrophages, neutrophils, and synovial fibroblasts) in the synovial microenvironment that correlate with RA disease activity and severity at the molecular level. Importantly, we are optimistic about fluorescence imaging (FOI) techniques (including visible light imaging and near-infrared (NIR)-FOI), which can accurately quantify abnormal levels of molecular markers using fluorescent probes. This provides detailed information about pathological changes in RA, opening new horizons for early diagnosis and treatment.
- Rheumatoid arthritis,
- Early diagnosis,
- Serologic tests,
- Synovium,
- fluorescence imaging

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References(138)

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