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Updated: Aug 24, 2026
Flow Cytometry Analysis of Immune Cell Subsets within the Murine Spleen, Bone Marrow, Lymph Nodes and Synovial Tissue in an Osteoarthritis Model
Published on: April 24, 2020
Mononuclear cell (MNC) subtypes in osteoarthritis synovial fluid. Comparison with MNC subtypes in rheumatoid
J G Fort1, M Flanigan, J B Smith
1Division of Rheumatology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Objective:
To examine mononuclear cell (MNC) subtypes in osteoarthritis (OA) synovial fluid (SF) and compare these results with MNC subtypes in SF from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Methods:
MNC were obtained from SF by gradient centrifugation with Ficoll-Hypaque. MNC subtypes were identified using color immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibody pairs and flow cytometry.
Results:
Significantly lower percentages of CD3+ (p < 0.01) and CD4+ cells (p < 0.01) were found in patients with OA. No differences were noted between CD8+ cells and the CD4/CD8 ratio. Significantly higher percentages of CD14+ (p < 0.001) and CD16+/CD56+ (p < 0.001) were found in patients with OA.
Conclusion:
Significant differences in MNC subtypes in OA and RA were noted that may reflect differences in pathophysiologic mechanisms operational in each disease.
