Immune Contributions to Osteoarthritis
Erika Barboza Prado Lopes1, Adrian Filiberti2, Syed Ali Husain2
1Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
Purpose Of The Review:
Mounting evidence supports a role of low-grade inflammation in the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis (OA). We review and discuss the role of synovitis, complement activation, cytokines, and immune cell population in OA.
Recent Findings:
Using newer imaging modalities, synovitis is found in the majority of knees with OA. Complement activation and pro-inflammatory cytokines play a significant role in the development of cartilage destruction and synovitis. Immune cell infiltration of OA synovial tissue by sub-populations of T cells and activated macrophages correlates with OA disease progression and pain. The innate and acquired immune system plays a key role in the low-grade inflammation found associated with OA. Targets of these pathways my hold promise for future disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs).
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