Possible Regulation of bFGF Expression by Mast Cells in Osteoarthritis Patients with Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study

Obesity is associated with the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Furthermore, synovial basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is linked to the severity of KOA. We previously demonstrated that bFGF and mast cell (MC) marker expression were elevated in the synovial tissues (ST) of KOA patients with obesity. However, it remains unclear whether MCs contribute to bFGF expression and regulation.

Radiographically diagnosed KOA patients (n=249) were assigned to groups based on the body mass index (BMI) classifications used by the World Health Organization: normal-weight (NW, BMI <25 kg/m², n=95), overweight (OW, BMI ≥25 and <30, n=109) and obese (OB, ≥30 kg/m², n=45). BFGF expression in the ST was examined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and compared across the BMI groups. Additionally, BFGF and interleukin (IL) 13 expression were examined in freshly extracted MC-rich (THY-1-, CD3-, CD14-, and CD19-) and MC-poor (THY-1+, CD3+, CD14+, or CD19+) fractions from ST. Moreover, regulation of BFGF expression by IL-13 was studied in CD14-negative (fibroblast-rich) and CD14-positive (Mφ-rich) and cells in culture.

BFGF expression was significantly higher in OB than in NW patients. Furthermore, although IL13 was significantly higher in the MC-rich than the MC-poor fraction, BFGF expression was comparable. Recombinant human IL-13 stimulated expression of BFGF in synovial fibroblast cells.

BFGF expression is higher in the ST of KOA patients with obesity. Increased numbers of MCs may contribute to the elevated BFGF expression through IL-13 in KOA patients with obesity.