Articular Joint Lubricants during Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis Display Altered Levels and Molecular Species.
BACKGROUND
Hyaluronic acid (HA), lubricin, and phospholipid species (PLs) contribute independently or together to the boundary lubrication of articular joints that is provided by synovial fluid (SF). Our study is the first reporting quantitative data about the molecular weight (MW) forms of HA, lubricin, and PLs in SF from cohorts of healthy donors, patients with early (eOA)- or late (lOA)-stage osteoarthritis (OA), and patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).


METHODS
We used human SF from unaffected controls, eOA, lOA, and RA. HA and lubricin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. PLs was quantified by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Fatty acids (FAs) were analyzed by gas chromatography, coupled with mass spectrometry. The MW distribution of HA was determined by agarose gel electrophoresis.


RESULTS
Compared with control SF, the concentrations of HA and lubricin were lower in OA and RA SF, whereas those of PLs were higher in OA and RA SF. Moreover, the MW distribution of HA shifted toward the lower ranges in OA and RA SF. We noted distinct alterations between cohorts in the relative distribution of PLs and the degree of FA saturation and chain lengths of FAs.


CONCLUSIONS
The levels, composition, and MW distribution of all currently known lubricants in SF--HA, lubricin, PLs--vary with joint disease and stage of OA. Our study is the first delivering a comprehensive view about all joint lubricants during health and widespread joint diseases. Thus, we provide the framework to develop new optimal compounded lubricants to reduce joint destruction.
Orthopedic Research Laboratories, Department of Orthopedics, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
Marta Krystyna
MK
Kosinska
Faculty of Kinesiology & Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Taryn E
TE
Ludwig
Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany.
Gerhard
G
Liebisch
RI-B-NT Research Institute of Bioinformatics and Nanotechnology, Kiel, Germany; Zoological Institute, Structural Biology, Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany.
Ruiyan
R
Zhang
RI-B-NT Research Institute of Bioinformatics and Nanotechnology, Kiel, Germany.
Hans-Christian
HC
Siebert
Medical Clinic II/IV, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
Jochen
J
Wilhelm
Internistisches Praxiszentrum am Krankenhaus Balserische Stiftung, Giessen, Germany.
Ulrich
U
Kaesser
Institute of Forensic Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
Reinhard B
RB
Dettmeyer
Orthopedic Research Laboratories, Department of Orthopedics, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
Heiko
H
Klein
Orthopedic Research Laboratories, Department of Orthopedics, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
Bernd
B
Ishaque
Orthopedic Research Laboratories, Department of Orthopedics, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
Markus
M
Rickert
Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany.
Gerd
G
Schmitz
Faculty of Kinesiology & Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Tannin A
TA
Schmidt
Orthopedic Research Laboratories, Department of Orthopedics, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
Juergen
J
Steinmeyer
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000378:metabolism*; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D054327:Lubricants / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000378:metabolism*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D055815:Young Adult; D000099158:Proteoglycan 4
D006023:Glycoproteins; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D054327:Lubricants; D010743:Phospholipids; D000099158:Proteoglycan 4