Fasciola hepatica extract alters viability, adhesion, migration and invasion properties of synovial fibroblasts from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) exhibit an aggressive and invasive profile and are involved in inflammatory process of the disease, including joint degradation and bone erosion. Available treatments have been effective for induction and maintenance of disease remission, but there is no known medical/surgical cure for AR. Also, these treatments has not been successful in all patients and may cause several side effects. For that reason, therapeutic alternatives, such as helminthic therapy, are required for unresponsive patients. In this way, the Fasciola hepatica (F. hepatica) release products with immunomodulatory properties, which are capable of suppressing the Th1 immune response and the production of inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, the therapeutic potential of F. hepatica extract was evaluated in vitro on FLS from patients with RA.