Immunofluorescent analysis of experimental osteoarthritic cartilage and synovium: evidence for selective deposition of immunoglobulin and complement in cartilaginous tissues.
Femoral and tibial cartilage as well as synovium derived from knees of nonoperated, sham-operated and partially meniscectomized NZW rabbits were studied using fluorescein conjugated goat IgG, goat antirabbit IgM, IgG and C3. Nonoperated and sham-operated animals revealed negative or minimal staining. Cartilaginous tissues from animals after partial meniscectomy showed uniform deposition of rabbit IgG and C3 in parallel at the surface; contralateral knees from these animals were negative for similar staining patterns. The data indicate that IgG and C3 deposition occurs in experimental secondary osteoarthritis and that immune complex deposition may contribute to the pathology of osteoarthritis.
D000818:Animals; D002356:Cartilage / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis*; D007249:Inflammation; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011817:Rabbits; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*
D003176:Complement C3; D007074:Immunoglobulin G