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Lysosomal enzymes in inflammatory synovial effusions.
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|August 1, 1979
Summary
Polymorphonuclear neutrophilic lysosomal enzymes in synovial fluid show varying correlations with neutrophil counts. Their concentrations negatively correlate with joint destruction, suggesting limited direct role in cartilage damage.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Synovial fluid contains polymorphonuclear neutrophilic (PMN) lysosomal constituents.
- Quantifying these constituents aids in understanding inflammatory joint conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitate lysosomal constituents in inflammatory and non-inflammatory synovial fluids.
- To determine the relationship between these constituents, neutrophil counts, and joint destruction.
Main Methods:
- Immunochemical and enzymatic assays were used.
- Synovial fluid samples from 28 inflammatory and 9 non-inflammatory cases were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase, and some lysozyme levels correlated with neutrophil counts.
- Cathepsin G and elastase activities, and immunochemically determined lysozyme, were independent of neutrophil counts.
- No elastase activity was detected using elastin as a substrate.
- All measured enzyme concentrations showed a negative correlation with radiographic joint destruction.
Conclusions:
- Certain lysosomal enzyme levels are neutrophil-dependent, while others are not.
- Synovial fluid lysosomal enzymes in solution are unlikely to be the primary cause of cartilage destruction.
- Findings suggest a complex role for these enzymes in joint inflammation and degradation.