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Infrapatellar Fat Pad resection effect on the osteoarthritis development: Experimental study in sheep
B Bravo1, J M Argüello2, F Forriol1
1Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad CEU-San Pablo, Madrid, España.
Summary
The infrapatellar fat pad influences osteoarthritis progression by altering inflammatory markers. Removing this fat impacts pro-inflammatory markers, while its presence increases MCP1 in synovial fluid, highlighting its role in joint inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Molecular Biology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Synovial joint fat plays a role in maintaining joint structure.
- Osteoarthritis (OA) involves joint degeneration, with potential involvement of adipose tissue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the evolution of joint degeneration in knees with and without an intact adipose pack.
- To investigate the role of the infrapatellar fat pad in osteoarthritis pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Surgical induction of osteoarthritis by anterior cruciate ligament transection in sheep knees.
- Comparison between knees with preserved infrapatellar fat pad and those with complete fat pad removal.
- Histological and molecular analysis of RUNX2, PTHrP, cathepsin-K, and MCP1 expression in various joint tissues and fluids.
Main Results:
- No morphological differences were observed between the groups.
- Increased expression of RUNX2 in the synovial membrane and PTHrP and Cathepsin K in synovial fluid in knees without the fat pad.
- Increased expression of RUNX2 in the meniscus and MCP1 in synovial fluid in knees with the intact fat pad.
Conclusions:
- The infrapatellar fat pad (Hoffa's fat pad) actively participates in the inflammatory process associated with osteoarthritis.
- Resection of the Hoffa fat pad alters pro-inflammatory markers.
- An intact fat pad model shows an increase in the pro-inflammatory marker MCP1 in synovial fluid.
