Equine Models of Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis: A Review of Feasibility, Biomarkers, and Molecular Signaling

Extracellular Vesicle-Derived microRNA Crosstalk Between Equine Chondrocytes and Synoviocytes-An In Vitro Approach

This study describes a novel technique to analyze the extracellular vesicle (EV)-derived microRNA (miRNA) crosstalk between equine chondrocytes and synoviocytes. Donor cells (chondrocytes, n = 8; synoviocytes, n = 9) were labelled with 5-ethynyl uridine (5-EU); EVs were isolated from culture media and incubated with recipient cells (chondrocytes [n = 5] were incubated with synoviocyte-derived EVs, and synoviocytes [n = 4] were incubated with chondrocyte-derived EVs). Total RNA was extracted from recipient cells; the 5-EU-labelled RNA was recovered and sequenced. Differential expression analysis, pathway analysis, and miRNA target prediction were performed. Overall, 198 and 213 miRNAs were identified in recipient synoviocytes and chondrocytes, respectively. The top five most abundant miRNAs were similar for synoviocytes and chondrocytes (eca-miR-21, eca-miR-221, eca-miR-222, eca-miR-100, eca-miR-26a), and appeared to be linked to joint homeostasis. There were nine differentially expressed (p < 0.05) miRNAs (eca-miR-27b, eca-miR-23b, eca-miR-31, eca-miR-191a, eca-miR-199a-5p, eca-miR-143, eca-miR-21, eca-miR-181a, and eca-miR-181b) between chondrocytes and synoviocytes, which appeared to be linked to migration of cells, apoptosis, cell viability of connective tissue cell, and inflammation. In conclusion, the reported technique was effective in recovering and characterizing the EV-derived miRNA crosstalk between equine chondrocytes and synoviocytes and allowed for the identification of EV-communicated miRNA patterns potentially related to cell viability, inflammation, and joint homeostasis.

Equine temporomandibular joint diseases: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a unique joint that enables mandibular movement. Temporomandibular diseases (TMDs) impair joint function, leading to more or less specific clinical signs.

OBJECTIVES

To compile and disseminate clinical data and research findings from existing publications on equine TMD.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review.

METHODS

Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, literature searches were conducted in PUBMED, Scopus, and Web of Knowledge. The inclusion criteria covered case reports and research articles on equine TMDs. The selected records were grouped considering septic TMJ arthritis, primary TMJ osteoarthritis (OA), and non-arthritic TMDs. A risk of bias assessment was performed for the research articles.

RESULTS

Equine TMD has been described in 51 publications to date, with septic TMJ arthritis accounting for 41.2% of TMD cases, fractures/luxations for 29.4%, and primary TMJ OA for 21.6%. Trauma was confirmed or suspected in 54.9% of TMD cases. The severity of clinical signs was mild to moderate in primary TMJ OA and mild to severe in septic TMJ arthritis and non-arthritic TMDs. Clinical signs were related to the underlying cause, particularly in terms of TMJ swelling, pain, and masticatory problems. Among diagnostic imaging modalities, CT was utilised in 92.2% of horses, radiography in 84.4%, and ultrasonography in 21.6%.

MAIN LIMITATIONS

The lack of clinical data in some reports. A risk of bias due to missing data.

CONCLUSIONS

TMDs are infrequently described, with trauma being the most common TMD cause. TMDs are associated with TMJ dysfunction; however, the diagnostic protocol is varied. Regardless of the TMD type, a detailed diagnostic protocol should include a thorough history, detailed TMJ examination, and radiography as the first imaging choice in field practice, with CT as the 'gold standard' in clinical settings. For septic TMJ arthritis, a bacterial culture is recommended, while for primary TMJ OA, functional tests and local analgesia.

Effect of a dietary nutraceutical "STRUCTURE-Joint" on response of horses to intra-articular challenge with IL-1: implications for tissue adaptation to stress

The purpose was to determine local (articular) and systemic effects of intra-articular interleukin-1 in horses supplemented with a dietary PUFA supplement [STRUCTURE-Joint (ST-J)]. Sixteen (16) healthy, mature, light breed horses were randomly assigned to diets containing 0 or 120 mL (n = 8 per group) of ST-J for 30 d. On days 0 (prior to beginning supplementation) and 27, recombinant equine interleukin-1β (reIL-1 β) (75 ng) was injected into the left or right intercarpal joint to induce mild, transient synovitis. Synovial fluid was obtained by aseptic arthrocentesis at postinjection hour 0 (immediately prior to IL-1 injection), 6, 12, and 72. ST-J supplementation for 30 d significantly increased synovial fluid nitric oxide, and resolvin D1 compared with the unsupplemented control group and significantly increased PGE2 levels and reduced joint circumference in the ST-J treated horses on day 30 compared to the same group of horses on day 0. There was also a significant increase in plasma hemoglobin, free and total bilirubin, and decrease in plasma glucose. These data provide evidence for the usefulness of ST-J to modulate physiological variables with importance in exercise performance and tissue adaptation to exercise stress and further research on this product is warranted.

Relationship between Feline Knee Joint Osteoarthritis and Bone Mineral Density Quantified Using Computed Tomography and Computed Digital Absorptiometry

Osteoarthritis (OA), including knee joint OA, is a common chronic condition in cats. In both cats and humans, knee joint OA is characterized radiographically by the presence of osteophytes, enthesiophytes, subchondral sclerosis, and joint space narrowing. However, only in humans have these radiographic signs been reported to increase bone mineral density (BMD). Therefore, this study aims to quantify the volumetric (vBMD) and relative (rBMD) BMD measures of the feline knee joint and compare BMD measures between various severities of OA to test the hypothesized OA-BMD relationship in the knee joint in cats. The 46 feline knee joints were imaged using computed tomography (CT) and conventional radiography supported by the computed digital absorptiometry (CDA) method to obtain vBMD and rBMD, respectively. Both BMD measures were assessed in three regions of interest (ROIs): the distal femur (ROI 1), patella (ROI 2), and proximal tibia (ROI 3). In all locations, vBMD and rBMD showed moderate (ROI 2: r = 0.67, p < 0.0001) to strong (ROI 1: ρ = 0.96, p < 0.0001; ROI 3: r = 0.89, p < 0.0001) positive correlations. Due to differences (p < 0.0001) in the width of the distal femur (17.9 ± 1.21 mm), patella (8.2 ± 0.82 mm), and proximal tibia (19.3 ± 1.16 mm), the rBMD was corrected (corr rBMD) using the thickness coefficient of 0.46 ± 0.04 for ROI 2 and 1.08 ± 0.03 for ROI 3. Regardless of the quantification method used, BMD measures increased linearly from a normal knee joint to severe OA, with differences in BMD between normal and mild to severe knee joint OA. The OA-BMD relationship in the feline knee joint can be preliminarily confirmed.

Advances in Molecular Research on Hip Joint Impingement-A Vascular Perspective

With the rise in longevity within the population, medicine continues to encounter fresh hurdles necessitating prompt actions, among which are those associated with hip joint aging. Age-related arthropathies encompass damage to bones' articulating extremities and their supporting structures, such as articular cartilage, and alterations in the quantity and quality of synovial fluid. This study aims to summarize the biomolecular methods of hip joint evaluation focused on its vascularization, using data correlated with biomolecular research on other joints and tissues, in order to reach an objective opinion of the study prospects in this field. Following a retrospective study on most modern biomolecular research methods on the synovium, the capsule, and the articular cartilage of the hip joint, we have hereby concretized certain future research directions in this field that will improve the qualitative and morphofunctional management of the hip joint at an advanced age, even within population categories at risk of developing various degenerative joint pathologies.