Synovial fluid gelatinase concentrations and matrix metalloproteinase and cytokine expression in naturally occurring joint disease in horses.
OBJECTIVE
To determine concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 in synovial fluid; and mRNA expression of MMP-1, -13, and -3; interleukin[IL]-1alpha and beta; and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in synovial membrane and articular cartilage from horses with naturally occurring joint disease.


METHODS
Synovial fluid (n = 76), synovial membrane (59), and articular cartilage (45) from 5 clinically normal horses and 55 horses with joint disease categorized as traumatic (acute [AT] or chronic [CT]), osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), or septic (S).


METHODS
Synovial fluid gelatinase concentrations were analyzed, using zymography. Synovial membrane and articular cartilage mRNA expression for MMP-1, -3, and -13, IL-1alpha and beta, TNF-alpha, type-II collagen, and aggrecan were analyzed, using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
Synovial fluid pro-MMP-2 concentration was significantly higher in diseased joints than normal joints. Septic joints had significantly higher concentrations of pro and active MMP-9. Stromelysin-1 was expressed in > or = 80% of synovial membrane and articular cartilage samples and was strongly influenced by age. Collagenases were rarely expressed, with MMP-13 expressed only in diseased joints. Interleukin-1beta expression was significantly higher in all OCD samples and was influenced by age. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression was significantly higher in cartilage from joints with AT and OCD. There was no correlation between MMP or cytokines and type-II collagen or aggrecan expression.


CONCLUSIONS
Matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -3 are abundant in naturally occurring joint disease and normal joints. Interleukin-1beta and TNF-alpha may be important in the pathogenesis of OCD. Age affects MMP and IL-1beta concentrations.
Trumble
T N
TN
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523, USA.
Trotter
G W
GW
Oxford
J R
JR
McIlwraith
C W
CW
Cammarata
S
S
Goodnight
J L
JL
Billinghurst
R C
RC
Frisbie
D D
DD
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000662:veterinary; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000201:enzymology; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel / Q000662:veterinary; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000201:enzymology*; D006736:Horses; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000201:enzymology / Q000662:veterinary*; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000737:chemistry; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000201:enzymology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis
D007375:Interleukin-1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases