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Biochemistry and antigenicity of osteoarthritic and rheumatoid cartilage
Author(s) -
Schurman David J.,
Palathumpat Marykutty V.,
Desilva Anil,
Kajiyama Glen,
Smith R. Lane
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1554-527X
pISSN - 0736-0266
DOI - 10.1002/jor.1100040301
Subject(s) - cartilage , osteoarthritis , rheumatoid arthritis , immunology , proteoglycan , medicine , arthritis , chemistry , trypsinization , pathology , anatomy , biochemistry , alternative medicine , trypsin , enzyme
The purpose of this study was to test whether cartilage serves as the source or repository of antigenic components active in the stimulation of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis through an analysis of peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation. Articular cartilage samples were obtained from patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis undergoing joint replacement surgery. Each sample was homogenized and characterized biochemically with respect to the content of proteoglycan, collagen, and immunoglobulin. Proteoglycan content of rheumatoid cartilage was reduced by 71% when compared to osteoarthritic cartilage; the proteoglycan content of ankylosing spondylitis cartilage was reduced by 40% when compared to osteoarthritic cartilage. Immunoglobulins were detectable in all cartilage samples when analyzed by ELISA or endoplate titration. Lymphocyte proliferation, quantified by uptake of 3 H‐thymidine, was unaltered by addition of cartilage fragments, low (saline) and high salt extracts (2.0 M CaCl 2 ), or cartilage residues. Both autologous and heterologous lymphocytes were tested against the cartilage samples with no difference in reactivity. Purified bovine articular proteoglycans and Type II collagen were also inactive. Although tetanus toxoid and phytohemaglutinin were effective stimulants of proliferation, lymphocytes from arthritis patients were suppressed relative to those of normal individuals. Analysis of arthritic articular cartilage by these techniques failed to demonstrate the presence of antigen(s) stimulating proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes.