Kwapisz A, Herman K, Momaya A, Piwnik M, Szemraj J, Elphingstone J, Synder M, Grzegorzewski A. Is the Synovium the First Responder to Posttraumatic Knee Joint Stress? The Molecular Pathogenesis of Traumatic Cartilage Degeneration.
Cartilage 2023;
14:473-481. [PMID:
36799236 PMCID:
PMC10807737 DOI:
10.1177/19476035231155630]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate if a similar catabolic and inflammatory gene pattern exists between the synovium, hyaline cartilage, and blood of patients with the knee joint tissues and if one precedes the other.
DESIGN
A total of fifty-eight patients (34 females and 24 males) with a mean age of 44.7 years (range, 18-75) underwent elective knee arthroscopy due to previously diagnosed pathology. Full blood samples were collected preoperatively from synovium and cartilage samples intraoperatively. Real time PCR with spectrophotometric analysis was performed. Following genes taking part in ECM (extracellular matrix) remodeling were selected for analysis: MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-13, MMP-14, ADAMTS-4 (Agg1) and ADAMTS-5 (Agg2) proteases, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 - their inhibitors - and IL-1 and TNF-α cytokines.
RESULTS
Analysis revealed a strong and significant correlation between gene expression in synovial and systemic blood cells (p <0.05 for all studied genes) with ADAMTS-4, ADAMTS-5, IL-1, TNF-α and TIMP-2 expression most positively correlated with an R>0.8 for each. An analysis between chondrocytes and systemic blood gene expression shown no significant correlation for all genes. Bivariate correlation of International Cartilage Repair Society grading and genes expression revealed significant associations with synovial MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-8, MMP-9, IL-1, TNF-α and TIMP-2.
CONCLUSION
We suggest that the synovial tissue is the first responder for knee joint stress factors in correlation with the response of blood cells. The chondrocyte's genetic response must be further investigated to elucidate the genetic program of synovial joints, as an organ, during OA development and progression.
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