Abstract
BackgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by the degeneration of joint cartilage, with concomitant changes in the synovium and subchondral bone. Recently, the inflammatory response and involvement of several types of T-cells has been implicated in the development of OA. This study investigated the frequency of MR1-restricted mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells in patients with knee OA.MethodsForty-five patients recently diagnosed with knee OA and 21 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were recruited for this study. Percentages of circulating MAIT cells were assessed by flow cytometry. Plasma cytokine levels were measured using cytometric bead arrays. Associations between the percentages of MAIT cells, plasma cytokine levels, and clinical parameters of OA (erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC]) were analyzed using the Spearman correlation test.ResultsThe percentages of total, CD8αα, and CD8αβ MAIT cells were higher in patients with OA compared to healthy controls. The percentages of total and CD8αα MAIT cells were higher in patients with multi-joint OA (MOA) compared to patients with knee-only OA (KOA). Plasma IFN-γ and TNF-α levels were elevated in patients with OA compared to healthy controls, and there was a positive correlation between plasma IFN-γ levels and the percentages of total, CD8αα, and CD8αβ MAIT cells. Plasma IFN-γ and IL-17 levels were higher in patients with MOA compared to healthy controls or patients with KOA. There were positive correlations between the percentages of total and CD8αα MAIT cells and clinical parameters (ESR and WOMAC scores) in patients with OA or MOA. Binary logistic regression analysis shown the frequency of MAIT cells was associated with the risk of OA.ConclusionsMAIT cells and their subpopulations were significantly increased in patients with OA and have potential as biological markers of OA disease severity, especially in patients with MOA.
Highlights
Osteoarthritis (OA) impairs one or more synovial joints, including weight-bearing joints, such as the knee and the hip joints, and small joints such as those in the hand
There were no significant differences in age, gender, BMI, or WBC count between patients with OA and healthy controls or between multi-joint OA (MOA) and knee-only OA (KOA) patients
erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly higher in patients with OA compared to healthy controls (P < 0.0001; P < 0.0001), and ESR was significantly elevated in patients with MOA compared to patients with KOA (P = 0.0021)
Summary
Osteoarthritis (OA) impairs one or more synovial joints, including weight-bearing joints, such as the knee and the hip joints, and small joints such as those in the hand. Associations between the percentages of MAIT cells, plasma cytokine levels, and clinical parameters of OA (erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC]) were analyzed using the Spearman correlation test. The percentages of total, CD8αα, and CD8αβ MAIT cells were higher in patients with OA compared to healthy controls. The percentages of total and CD8αα MAIT cells were higher in patients with multi-joint OA (MOA) compared to patients with knee-only OA (KOA). Plasma IFN-γ and TNF-α levels were elevated in patients with OA compared to healthy controls, and there was a positive correlation between plasma IFN-γ levels and the percentages of total, CD8αα, and CD8αβ MAIT cells. There were positive correlations between the percentages of total and CD8αα MAIT cells and clinical parameters (ESR and WOMAC scores) in patients with OA or MOA. MAIT cells and their subpopulations were significantly increased in patients with OA and have potential as biological markers of OA disease severity, especially in patients with MOA
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
