CRP and rheumatoid arthritis: VEGF-A plays dual roles as both a pro-inflammatory mediator and an angiogenesis promoter within synovial tissue.594 Synovial macrophages and fibroblasts produce VEGF, while osteoclasts and their precursors express VEGF receptors, forming a complex network that drives disease progression.595 Elevated serum VEGF levels correlate with c-reactive protein (CRP), highlighting its diagnostic and prognostic value in RA.596,597 Furthermore, VEGF supports rheumatoid synoviocyte survival and proliferation through IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 and Notch signaling, reinforcing its role in RA pathogenesis.598