E Xiaoqiang, Cao Yang, Meng Hongxue, Qi Yuebin, Du Guangye, Xu Jun, Bi Zhenggang
Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
Cell Physiol Biochem. 2012;30(1):23-32. doi: 10.1159/000339046. Epub 2012 Jul 5.
Dendritic cells (DCs) are critical initiators of immune responses, however, its distribution and role in osteoarthritis (OA) remains largely unknown. This study is to investigate the distribution of DCs in the rabbits' synovium of experimental OA.
Model of OA was established by excising the medial meniscus of both hind knees in New Zealand white rabbits. The grades of synovium and articular cartilage were assessed and scored by hematoxylin eosin stain after 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks of operation. The distribution of DCs was investigated by immunohistochemistry staining in the synovium from OA rabbits. The levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in synovial fluid were measured by ELISA kits.
Molecular markers for DCs, such as DC-LAMP, CD80, CD83, and CD86 were detected in lymphoid aggregations and perivenular infiltration areas in the synovium from OA rabbits. Large numbers of DCs were observed in the synovium in the early stages (2 or 4 weeks) after operation. The number of DCs was significantly increased with the progression of inflammatory grade in synovium in the same early stages. Expression of IL-1β and TNF-α were also increased in the early stages, then decreased with the inflammatory regression in synovium.
The data from this study strongly suggested that DCs may play a key role, at least in part, in inflammation of the OA pathogenesis, especially in the early stages of OA.
树突状细胞（DCs）是免疫反应的关键启动者，然而其在骨关节炎（OA）中的分布和作用仍 largely 未知。本研究旨在调查实验性 OA 家兔滑膜中 DCs 的分布。
通过切除新西兰白兔双后膝关节内侧半月板建立 OA 模型。术后 2、4、8 和 12 周，用苏木精伊红染色评估滑膜和关节软骨的等级并评分。通过免疫组织化学染色研究 OA 家兔滑膜中 DCs 的分布。用 ELISA 试剂盒测量滑液中 IL-1β和 TNF-α的水平。
在 OA 家兔滑膜的淋巴聚集和血管周围浸润区域检测到 DCs 的分子标志物，如 DC-LAMP、CD80、CD83 和 CD86。术后早期（2 或 4 周）滑膜中观察到大量 DCs。在同一早期阶段，随着滑膜炎症等级的进展，DCs 的数量显著增加。IL-1β和 TNF-α的表达在早期也增加，然后随着滑膜炎症消退而降低。
本研究数据强烈表明，DCs 可能至少在部分程度上在 OA 发病机制的炎症中起关键作用，尤其是在 OA 的早期阶段。
