Concentrations of glycosaminoglycans in synovial fluids and their relation with immunological and inflammatory mediators in rheumatoid arthritis

Article Abstract:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by inflammation of the joints, stiffness, swelling, overgrowth of cartilage tissue, and pain. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the inflammatory process and joint damage that occurs in RA. Levels of glycosaminoglycans, which are complex carbohydrates derived from cartilage tissue, are increased in the synovial (joint) fluids of RA patients. The cause of this abnormal increase in glycosaminoglycan levels was investigated by examining the relation between glycosaminoglycan levels and factors involved in inflammation and immune reactions. Synovial fluid glycosaminoglycan levels from RA patients were correlated with synovial levels of C3d, a complement protein. Complement consists of a group of blood proteins that can be activated to destroy bacteria and other cells. Interleukin 1 is a factor released from monocytes, a type of white blood cell, and from macrophages, cells that ingest particles. It is involved in the 'acute phase response', which is characterized by fever, immune reactions, release of amino acids from muscle, and changes in sleep-related brain activity. There was no relation found between interleukin 1 levels and glycosaminoglycans levels, although the synovial levels of C3d were correlated with interleukin 1 levels. In RA, the joint may release cytokines (growth factors) and interleukin 1, which cause the release of glycosaminoglycans from cartilage tissue; this increases the susceptibility of cartilage to further injury. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Measurement, Causes of, Inflammation, Cytokines, Interleukin-1, Glycosaminoglycans, Mucopolysaccharides

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Correlation between synovial neopterin and inflammatory activity in rheumatoid arthritis

Article Abstract:

Neopterin is a natural substance produced from the nucleotide guanosine triphosphate by macrophages, cells with the ability to ingest foreign particles. The production and release of neopterin from macrophages is controlled by gamma interferon, a substance released by T lymphocytes, a type of immune cell. Neopterin may serve as an indicator of the activity of the immune system, which consists of the body's natural defense mechanisms. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an inflammatory joint disease, is associated with the accumulation of macrophages in the inflamed joint and increased activity of T lymphocytes. The levels of neopterin released by macrophages into the synovial or joint fluid may provide a measure of the amount of inflammatory activity in RA. Neopterin levels were measured in the synovial fluid of 17 patients with RA, nine with osteoarthritis, six with gout, and 12 normal subjects. Synovial fluid neopterin level was higher in patients with RA than in subjects from all the other groups. The results showed that in RA, neopterin levels were more strongly linked with inflammatory activity involving the entire body than with local disease activity at the knee joints. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that neopterin reflects the role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

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Macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha expression by synovial fluid neutrophils in rheumatoid arthritis

Article Abstract:

Measuring the progression of the disease of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is done, primarily by recognizing inflammatory signs such as neutrophils in the synovial fluid and the macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (MIP 1 alpha) which the neutrophils produce. Recognizing just how much contribution to the neutrophils make to the production of the MIP 1 alpha and what that means exactly to the degree of inflammation and progression of the RA disease is the subject of ongoing research.

Neutrophils

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