Effects of pulse methylprednisolone on macrophage chemotactic protein-1 and macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha in rheumatoid synovium.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of pulse methyprednisolone (PMP; 1000 mg) on the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha in rheumatoid synovial membrane.


METHODS
Seven patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were studied. Arthroscopically-directed synovial biopsies were taken before and 24 hours after treatment with intravenous PMP. Synovial membranes were stained by immunohistochemical techniques with monoclonal antibodies against MCP-1, MIP-1alpha and CD68 (a macrophage marker). Quantitation of staining was performed by computer-assisted color video image analysis.


RESULTS
PMP therapy was associated with a rapid (within 24 hours) and substantial decrease in the expression of MCP-1 and MIP-1alpha expression by a mean of 55% (p = 0.05) and 45% (p = 0.03), respectively, with no effect on CD68 expression in the synovial lining layer. There was no significant change in MCP-1, MIP-1alpha or CD68 expression in the synovial sublining.


CONCLUSIONS
PMP therapy rapidly reduces MCP-1 and MIP-1alpha levels in the synovial lining layer without a fall in macrophage numbers. It thus appears that the initial effect of PMP is that of reducing macrophage activation.
Wong
P K
PK
Rheumatology Unit, Prince of Wales Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.
Cuello
C
C
Bertouch
J V
JV
Roberts-Thomson
P J
PJ
Ahern
M J
MJ
Smith
M D
MD
Youssef
P P
PP
D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002452:Cell Count; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D054405:Chemokine CCL3; D054407:Chemokine CCL4; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D019402:Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020551:Pulse Therapy, Drug; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D054405:Chemokine CCL3; D054407:Chemokine CCL4; D019402:Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins; D008775:Methylprednisolone; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule