title: Serum and synovial fluid levels of CCL18 are correlated with radiographic grading of knee osteoarthritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chemokines are involved in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). CCL18, a member of the chemokines family, is observed in synovial fluid (SF) of OA patients. The aim of this study was to determine the association between CCL18 levels in serum and SF with radiographic knee OA.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted in a population of 308 patients with knee OA. The radiological knee OA was graded by the Kellgren-Lawrence grading system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum levels of CCL18 in knee OA patients were markedly higher than those in healthy controls. Serum and SF levels of CCL18 increased with the severity of KL grades and were correlated with disease severity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The CCL18 levels in serum and SF are correlated with the severity of OA.
authors: Department of Emergency Center, First Affilated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China (mainland).
authors: Yun
authors: Y
authors: Zhou
authors: Department of Emergency Center, First Affilated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China (mainland).
authors: Juwu
authors: J
authors: Chen
authors: Department of Emergency Center, First Affilated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China (mainland).
authors: Guohui
authors: G
authors: Yang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019742:Chemokines, CC / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C111792:CCL18 protein, human; D019742:Chemokines, CC; D002097:C-Reactive Protein