Global knowledge mapping and emerging research trends in the convergence of rheumatoid arthritis and exosomes: A CiteSpace-based visual analysis

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by persistent synovial inflammation and progressive joint destruction, with a rising global prevalence. By 2050, the age-standardized incidence rate is projected to reach 16.78 per 1,00,000 women and 7.85 per 1,00,000 men. In recent years, exosomes (EXOs) - membrane-bound vesicles (30-150 nm in diameter) that mediate intercellular communication by shuttling proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids - have emerged as promising targets for unraveling RA pathogenesis and developing novel therapies. As key carriers of biological signals, EXOs regulate synovial microenvironment dynamics, including fibroblast-like synoviocyte activation, macrophage polarization, and inflammatory cytokine secretion, thereby playing dual roles in promoting or alleviating RA progression. However, research at this interdisciplinary nexus remains fragmented, lacking systematic synthesis. To address this gap, we employed CiteSpace software to generate a knowledge map from 244 Web of Science Core Collection documents (2000-2025), analyzing global research trends, thematic evolution, and collaborative networks. Key findings include: Growth in academic output: the number of publications continues to rise year by year, with the total number of citations exceeding 9723, significantly enhancing academic influence. Geographical distribution: China leads

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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