NAMPT/Visfatin expression by inflammatory monocytes mediates arthritis pathogenesis by promoting IL-17–producing T cells

Background Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT)/PBEF/ Visfatin exerts multiple functions and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. The expression of NAMPT is increased during inflammation and is identified as a novel mediator of innate immunity. To gain insight into its role in arthritis and given that NAMPT induces IL-6 expression that is critical for Th17 lymphocytes, we hypothesized that NAMPT-stimulated production of IL-6 by monocytes might in turn promote Th17 cells.