Analysis of pathogenesis of osteoarthritis: Role of cytokines and review of literature

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common diseases of joints that affect almost all people after 5th -6th decade. Traditionally it has been classified as a degenerative disease. Recently there has been a great interest in its pathogenesis. This study was conducted to analyze its pathogenesis especially the role of cyto-chemokines. Methods: This study was conducted at Aware Global Hospital, Hyderabad, India. 100 patients of different grade of OA (Histology and arthroscopically proven) were selected as cases and 100 patients who never had joint pain, swelling and restricted range of motion were selected as control group. Synovial fluid analysis was done using ultrasensitive MSD multiplex ELISA system. Data was subjected to a one-way analysis of variance using a post hoc Student's Newman-Keuls test. Results: Analysis of cell free synovial fluid (Table 2) by ultrasensitive MSD multiplex ELISA showed consistent increase in pro-inflammatory cytochemokines (RANTES, IL- 1 beta, IFN-beta, IL-6, TNF-alfa, IL-8,) and pro-inflammatory MMPs (MMP-1,MMP-3 and MMP-9) with increase in severity of OA. Anti-inflammatory cyto-chemokines showed significant decrease with progression of OA (IL-10, IL-12p70 and IFN-gama). Conclusion: Our study suggests that OA is linked with increased levels of proinflammatory cyto-chemokines, particularly those cytokines associated with TLR3 activation. Inflamamatory cyto-chemokines are detected at early stages of OA, grade I-II. Clinical relevance: Inflammatory cyto-chemokines can be target of therapeutics in early OA to prevent its progression.