In rheumatoid arthritis, what causes the persistence of inflammation, despite the presence of anti-inflammatory cytokines?

💡 Explanation

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) suppress the immune response to maintain self-tolerance. Because their function is suppressed in rheumatoid arthritis, chronic inflammation persists despite the presence of anti-inflammatory cytokines; therefore, impaired Treg function allows autoreactive T cells to cause damage, rather than being controlled by Tregs.

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