title: Diverse expression of selected cytokines and proteinases in synovial fluid obtained from osteoarthritic and healthy human knee joints.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteoarthritis (OA) is defined by signs and symptoms of inflammation within the affected joint. The aim of this study is to determine the mRNA expression levels of selected cytokines and matrix-metalloproteinases of cells found in synovial fluid (SF) obtained from osteoarthritic knee joints compared to healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  SF was obtained from 40 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty due to evident OA and from 10 healthy controls. Expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, MMP-1 and MMP-3 was assayed among both groups by performing qPCR. Patients were configured concerning age, gender and BMI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IL-1β, MMP-1 and MMP-3 showed significantly higher expression among the OA group compared to control (P < 0.001). Strong correlation appeared between expression of MMP-1 and MMP-3 among OA patients (r = 0.856); no correlation was found between age, gender or BMI and cytokine/proteinase expression. Expression of IL-1β, MMP-1 and MMP-3 within SF was elevated in OA-patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Consequently, cells within SF expressing cytokines and proteinases may play a relevant role in the progression of joint destruction. Considering the fact that SF in an OA joint comprises abnormal amounts of detrimental bioactive proteins, temporary clearance, dilution or suppression/modulation by means of lavage or disease-modifying medication may be promising to constitute interim relief or even postpone disease progression due to decreased inflammatory and/or degrading activity within the articular environment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universitaet Muenchen, Munich, Germany. sauerschnig@gmail.com.|Centrum für Muskuloskeletale Chirurgie, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. sauerschnig@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sauerschnig
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universitaet Muenchen, Munich, Germany. josef.stolbergstolberg@googlemail.com.
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stolberg-Stolberg
authors.affiliation: Centrum für Muskuloskeletale Chirurgie, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. annekaschulze@web.de.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schulze
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Albert-Ludwigs University Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. gian.salzmann@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
authors.forename: Gian Max
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Salzmann
authors.affiliation: Centrum für Muskuloskeletale Chirurgie, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. Carsten.Perka@charite.de.
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Perka
authors.affiliation: Centrum für Muskuloskeletale Chirurgie, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. christian.dynybil@charite.de.
authors.forename: Christian Jiri
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Dynybil
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000378:metabolism*; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; C511768:MMP3 protein, human; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; C522360:MMP1 protein, human; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1