Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “SYNOVIAL FLUID”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources

Concentrations of substance P and prostaglandin E2 in synovial fluid of normal and abnormal joints of horses.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate substance P content of synovial fluid with prostaglandin E2 content, radiographic evidence of joint abnormality, and anatomic location of the joint for normal and osteoarthritic joints of horses. SAMPLE POPULATION: Synovial fluid from 46 normal joints in 21 horses and 16 osteoarthritic joints in 10 horses. PROCEDURE: Normal and osteoarthritic joints were identified by clinical and radiographic examination, by response to nerve blocks, during scintigraphy or surgery, or by clinicopathologic evaluation. Substance P and prostaglandin E2 contents of synovial fluid were determined by radioimmunoassay. Radio-graphs of joints were assigned a numeric score reflecting severity of lesions. Joints were assigned a numeric score reflecting anatomic location. RESULTS: Median concentrations of substance P and prostaglandin E2 were significantly increased in osteoarthritic joints, compared with normal joints. A significant correlation was found between concentrations of substance P and prostaglandin E2 in synovial fluid, but a correlation was not detected between substance P concentration in synovial fluid and anatomic location of the joint or between radiographic scores of osteoarthritic joints and concentrations of substance P or prostaglandin E2. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A correlation existed between concentrations of substance P and prostaglandin E2 in synovial fluid obtained from normal and osteoarthritic joints. However, content of substance P in synovial fluid cannot be predicted by the radiographic appearance of the joint or its anatomic location. Substance P and prostaglandin E2 may share an important and related role in the etiopathogenesis of osteoarthritis, lending credence to the importance of neurogenic inflammation in horses.

Animals↗

Synovial fluid analysis for diagnosis of intercritical gout.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of gout in the intercritical phase can be difficult. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether synovial fluid analysis allows the diagnosis of intercritical gout. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Outpatient rheumatology clinics. PATIENTS: 101 patients with gout. INTERVENTION: Arthrocentesis of 80 knees and 21 first metatarsophalangeal joints (each joint from a different patient) that had been inflamed but were currently asymptomatic. MEASUREMENTS: Frequency with which arthrocentesis yielded synovial fluid; presence of monosodium urate crystals in the synovial fluid sample; and, for synovial fluid with crystals, the number of microscope fields that had to be scanned before crystals were found. RESULTS: Synovial fluid was obtained from 91 of 101 joints. The fluid from all 43 patients not receiving hypouricemic agents contained monosodium urate crystals. These crystals were found in the synovial fluid of only 34 of 48 patients receiving hypouricemic agents. In 90% of the synovial fluid samples that contained crystals, crystals were seen in the first five microscope fields examined. CONCLUSIONS: Arthrocentesis of asymptomatic knees and first metatarsophalangeal joints and synovial fluid analysis are simple procedures that facilitate the diagnosis of gout during intercritical periods.

Adult↗

Spectrophotometric measurement of proteoglycans in osteoarthritic synovial fluid.

Cartilage glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) were measured by a spectrophotometric assay in synovial fluid obtained from 30 normal bovine hock joints and 15 osteoarthritic human knee joints. Results were compared with those obtained by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The spectrophotometric method (dimethylmethylene blue (DMB) assay) was found to be simple, safe, and sufficiently reproducible to be of potential value for serial measurement of sulphated GAGs in arthritic joint fluids. The nature of the proteoglycans present in normal bovine and osteoarthritic human synovial fluid was examined by gel chromatography. Whereas normal bovine synovial fluid contained only small molecular weight proteoglycans, osteoarthritic human synovial fluid contained aggregated proteoglycans and predominantly high molecular weight proteoglycan subunits.

Animals↗

Value of synovial fluid interleukin-1 beta determination in predicting the outcome of psoriatic monoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of synovial fluid analysis in predicting the outcome of psoriatic monoarthritis. METHODS: In synovial fluid from knee joints of 18 patients with psoriatic monoarthritis lasting less than six months, white blood cell count, acid phosphatase, lysozyme, and interleukin (IL)-1 beta were determined. ESR and serum C reactive protein were also measured. To define the outcome, the patients were monitored for at least three years and then subdivided into those with polyarthritis and those without. RESULTS: Among the blood and synovial fluid indices considered, synovial fluid IL-1 beta was the only variable which differed between the patients who developed polyarthritis, within three years and those without polyarthritis after this time, at 20.82(SD 8.79) v 4.19(4.73) pg ml-1, P < 0.0001). A correlation was found between synovial fluid IL-1 beta concentrations and the number of affected joints after three years (r = 0.739, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Determination of synovial fluid IL-1 beta at disease onset may be useful in revealing the outcome of psoriatic monoarthritis since, among the variables considered in our study, this was the only one capable of predicting the evolution of monoarticular psoriatic arthritis to polyarthritis.

Adolescent↗

[Synovial fluid crystal identification by electron microscopy].

BACKGROUND: In clinical practice crystal identification in synovial fluid is made by polarized light microscopy and with some specific stainings. Nevertheless, sometimes we are unable to identify crystals by these means, either because they are too small or because they are widespread on the fluid. AIMS: To compare the identification of crystals in synovial fluid from patients with non-infectious monoarthritis but no history of local trauma or articular disease, using polarized light and electronic microscopy. METHODS: We analized synovial fluid samples from patients with non-infectious monoarthritis and no history of local trauma or articular disease. First we used a polarized light microscope and alizarin red staining. Later we used conventional transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy, in order to identify and characterize crystals. RESULTS: Fourty-five samples from 23 synovial fluids were analyzed. Under polarized light microscopy we identified crystals on 11 samples: 3 with calcium pyrophosphate crystals, 6 with calcium basic phosphate crystals and 2 with sodium monourate crystals. On the remaining 12 samples we were unable to identify crystals. Samples were then analyzed by conventional transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy confirming the presence of the previously identified crystals. On the remainig 12 samples we were able to identify calcium basic phosphate crystals. DISCUSSION: Microcrystals seem to be an universal finding in synovial fluid of patients with osteoarthritis. The prevention of their deposition in joints might contribute to stop joint damage in this disease.

Arthritis↗

Type IX collagen immunoreactive peptides in synovial fluids from arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether type IX collagen-related peptides can be detected in the synovial fluids of arthritis patients and to assess their potential as molecular markers of arthritis. PATIENTS/METHODS: Synovial fluids from a set of carefully diagnosed arthritis patients and from healthy volunteers were used. Hydroxyproline assays were carried out to determine the content and concentration of collagen. Collagen cross-link determinations were conducted by reversed-phase HPLC. SDS PAGE and immunoblotting were used to identify the collagenous components, and N-terminal sequencing was performed to confirm these identities. RESULTS: All the synovial fluids were found to contain measurable amounts of collagen at similar concentrations. This appeared to be mainly high-molecular-weight material consisting of type I and type IX collagens, but not type II collagen. However, other smaller molecular weight type IX immunoreactive peptides were detected which were more apparent in the synovial fluids from arthritis patients. These peptides were also found to contain non-collagenous material. Collagen cross-links were also present in the arthritis synovial fluids. CONCLUSION: Collagenous material can be detected in all synovial fluids and the presence of pyridinoline cross-links indicates that at least some of this is derived from a mature collagen matrix. Type IX immunoreactive peptides were identified, but were found to contain significant amounts of non-collagenous material, and their presence, even at lower levels, in synovial fluids from normal subjects limits their potential for use as molecular markers of disease. Nevertheless, this is the first report of type IX collagen-related fragments in synovial fluids.

Adult↗

Expression of CD69 antigen on synovial fluid T cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic synovitis.

OBJECTIVES: The expression of the CD69 antigen on synovial fluid and peripheral blood lymphocytes was studied in 12 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), five subjects with other forms of chronic synovitis, and on the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 15 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and immune vasculitis. METHODS: The CD69 antigen and other activation markers (HLA-DR, interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2R), transferrin receptor) were measured by cytometric analysis. In patients with RA soluble IL-2R was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The percentage of T cells bearing CD69 was significantly increased in synovial fluid from patients with RA (30.3 (13)%) and other chronic synovitis (18 (9)%). The expression of CD69 on peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with RA, other chronic synovitis, and SLE and immune vasculitis was within the normal range 2.1 (1.2)%. According to previously published work, a high proportion of synovial fluid T cells are HLA-DR positive (64.2 (12.4)% in synovial fluid from patients with RA and 61 (1.2)% in synovial fluid from patients with other chronic synovitis). Transferrin receptor expression on synovial fluid was up-regulated compared with that on peripheral blood. The increase of IL-2R expression on synovial fluid lymphocytes v peripheral blood was not significant; the quantitative determination of soluble IL-2R levels gave a mean value of 921 (351) U/ml in synovial fluid of patients with RA, 672 (229) U/ml in the serum of the same patients, and 273 (100) U/ml in serum from normal subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Synovial fluid lymphocytes are in a different functional state than peripheral blood lymphocytes. CD69 antigen is an interesting cellular marker which should be studied in patients with chronic synovitis. The unusual expression of the activation antigens and the sequence of their appearance require further study.

Antigens, CD↗

Pseudosepsis in rheumatoid arthritis due to cellular and lipid abnormalities in synovial fluid.

In acute septic arthritis, the synovial fluid is usually frankly purulent. However, the presence of pus does not always imply the presence of infection, and some synovial fluids are easily mistaken for pus. An exaggeration of the normal leucocyte response in inflammatory joint fluids may alone simulate sepsis; marked increases in certain lipid fractions of the fluid may produce similar appearances. We describe a patient who presented with two examples of such 'pseudoseptic arthritis'.

Aged↗

Rheumatoid arthritis synovial fluid fibroblasts express TRAIL-R2 (DR5) that is functionally active.

OBJECTIVE: To examine fibroblasts grown from the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients for TRAIL-R2 expression, and for susceptibility to apoptosis induced by an agonistic anti-TRAIL-R2 monoclonal antibody (mAb). METHODS: The expression of TRAIL-R2 (DR5) was determined by flow cytometry on fibroblasts grown from the synovial fluid of patients with RA, osteoarthritis (OA), seronegative arthritis, and unclassified monarthritis or oligoarthritis, and on fibroblasts from the synovial membrane of RA and OA patients. Susceptibility to apoptosis mediated by an agonistic anti-TRAIL-R2 mAb was determined by alamar blue bioassay, fluorescence microscopy (annexin V/propidium iodide staining), and caspase activation. RESULTS: Fibroblasts grew from 35 of 50 RA synovial fluid samples, of which 26 were DR5(+) (mean [+/-SD] fluorescence intensity [MFI] 18.74 +/- 2.5). Fibroblasts also grew from 15 of 30 seronegative arthritis synovial fluid samples, 28 of 40 OA synovial fluid samples, and 8 of 20 unclassified monarthritis or oligoarthritis synovial fluid samples; all of these were DR5- (MFI 0.32 +/- 0.02). All 10 of the fibroblast lines from joint replacement surgery or synovectomy specimens of RA patients were DR5(+) (MFI 20.3 +/- 3.2). All fibroblast lines from the synovium of 10 OA patients were DR5-, as were fibroblasts from the skin of 5 healthy subjects. DR5(+) fibroblast cultures underwent apoptosis when treated in vitro with an agonistic anti-DR5 antibody. CONCLUSION: Fibroblasts grown from the synovial fluid and synovial membrane of RA patients express TRAIL-R2 that is functionally active. An agonistic anti-TRAIL-R2 antibody that does not induce hepatocyte toxicity may be an alternative strategy for treatment of RA.

Adult↗

Binding of piroxicam to synovial fluid and plasma proteins in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The protein binding of piroxicam in synovial fluid and plasma from patients with rheumatoid arthritis was studied in vitro by equilibrium dialysis. The binding parameters were calculated from the experimental data with the Scatchard model, assuming binding to two classes of sites. Each plasma sample was diluted to an albumin concentration equal to that of synovial fluid from the same patient. The association constants for primary and secondary binding sites in the concentration range of piroxicam 4.5-90 X 10(-5) mol/l were similar in synovial fluid and in plasma. For synovial fluid K1 = 2.38 X 10(5) l/mol and K2 = 2.29 X 10(3) l/mol; for plasma K1 = 1.93 X 10(5) l/mol and K2 = 2.08 X 10(3) l/mol. The number of binding sites was also the same in the two fluids. Although the concentration of piroxicam in synovial fluid was about half that in plasma, the binding of piroxicam to protein in synovial fluid was the same as in plasma.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

Pharmacokinetics of lumiracoxib in plasma and synovial fluid.

BACKGROUND: Lumiracoxib is a new cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective inhibitor in development for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and acute pain. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pharmacokinetics of lumiracoxib in plasma and knee joint synovial fluid from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. DESIGN: Open-label multiple-dose study evaluating the steady-state pharmacokinetics of lumiracoxib in plasma and synovial fluid after 7 days of treatment with lumiracoxib 400 mg once daily. PATIENT POPULATION: Males and females aged 18-75 years with rheumatoid arthritis, having moderate to significant synovial fluid effusion of the knee. OUTCOME MEASURES: Following a 7-day washout period for previous nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, 22 patients (17 female, 5 male) received lumiracoxib 400 mg once daily for seven consecutive days. On day 7, following an overnight fast, a final dose of lumiracoxib was administered and serial blood and synovial fluid samples were collected for up to 28 hours. Lumiracoxib and its metabolites (4'-hydroxy-lumiracoxib and 5-carboxy-4'-hydroxy-lumiracoxib) were measured by validated high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry methods. The steady-state pharmacokinetics of lumiracoxib were evaluated in plasma and synovial fluid by both a population pharmacokinetic model and noncompartmental analysis. RESULTS: Lumiracoxib was rapidly absorbed (peak plasma concentration at 2 hours) and the terminal elimination half-life in plasma was short (6 hours). Lumiracoxib concentrations were initially higher in plasma than in synovial fluid; however, from 5 hours after administration until the end of the 28-hour assessment period, concentrations of lumiracoxib were higher in synovial fluid than in plasma. Peak drug concentration in synovial fluid occurred 3-4 hours later than the peak plasma concentration. The mean steady-state trough concentration of lumiracoxib in synovial fluid (454 microg/L) was approximately three times higher than the mean value in plasma (155 microg/L), and the area under the concentration-time curve from 12 to 24 hours after administration was 2.6-fold higher for synovial fluid than for plasma. Median lumiracoxib protein binding was similar in plasma and synovial fluid (range 97.9-98.3%). Concentrations of 4'-hydroxy-lumiracoxib, the active COX-2 selective metabolite, remained low in comparison with parent drug in both plasma and synovial fluid. The concentration of lumiracoxib in synovial fluid at 24 hours after administration would be expected to result in substantial inhibition of prostaglandin E(2) formation. CONCLUSION: The kinetics of distribution of lumiracoxib in synovial fluid are likely to extend the therapeutic action of the drug beyond that expected from plasma pharmacokinetics. These data support the use of lumiracoxib in a once-daily regimen for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Administration, Oral↗

Use of vitamin B12 in joint lavage for determination of dilution factors of canine synovial fluid.

OBJECTIVE: To test a modified saline (0.9% NaCl) solution joint washing (lavage) technique that includes the use of vitamin B12 as an internal marker for the evaluation of synovial fluid dilution in lavage samples from canine joints. SAMPLE POPULATION: 9 plasma samples obtained from blood samples of 9 healthy dogs and 9 synovial fluid samples aspirated from stifle joints of 9 cadaveric dogs. PROCEDURE: Photometric absorbances of 25% vitamin B12 solution, canine synovial fluid, and canine plasma were measured in a spectrophotometer to establish an optimal wavelength for analysis. Canine synovial fluid and plasma samples were mixed with the 25% vitamin B12 solution to obtain 1%, 3%, 5%, 10%, 20%, and 50% solutions of synovial fluid or plasma. Diluted synovial fluid and plasma samples were used to simulate joint lavage samples and to examine the possible interference of these substances (synovial fluid or plasma) with the absorbance of the 25% vitamin B12 solution in photometric analysis. RESULTS: The optimal wavelength was found to be at 550 nm. Canine synovial fluid and plasma samples did not interfere with the absorbance measurements of the 25% vitamin B12 solution up to a 50% dilution of plasma or synovial fluid. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The modified saline solution joint lavage method with the use of a 25% vitamin B12 solution as an internal standard provides an accurate and reliable technique for the evaluation of synovial fluid dilution in lavage samples from canine joints.

Animals↗

Autoantibodies to glucose-6-phosphate isomerase are elevated in the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether anti-glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI) antibody in the synovial fluid is specifically related to human rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Synovial fluid was collected from patients with RA, osteoarthritis (OA), gout, Behcet's disease, or ankylosing spondylitis. GPI-binding activity was measured in the synovial fluid using a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor. RESULTS: The mean level of anti-GPI signal in the synovial fluid of RA patients was significantly elevated compared with that of OA patients (2.84 +/- 1.41 AU versus 1.19 +/- 0.42 AU, respectively; p < 0.0001). Anti-GPI signals in the synovial fluids of patients with non-rheumatoid arthritis, such as gout, Behcet's disease, or ankylosing spondylitis were significantly lower than in the synovial fluid of RA patients (p < 0.005), and were similar to those of OA patients. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that anti-GPI antibody in the synovial fluid is specifically related to RA, and suggests that GPI and its autoantibody might be important in the pathogenesis of human RA.

Adult↗

Tolmetin kinetics and synovial fluid prostaglandin E levels in rheumatoid arthritis.

Tolmetin kinetics were determined in the plasma and synovial fluid of five rheumatoid arthritis patients after they had ingested tolmetin (400 mg every 6 hr) for 7 days. Tolmetin was rapidly absorbed, with average peak levels in plasma and synovial fluid occurring at 45 min and 2 hr. The drug concentration in synovial fluid was higher than that in plasma for prolonged periods, while the rates of elimination from both plasma and synovial fluid were similar. The average half-lives of tolmetin in plasma and synovial fluid were 6.77 +/- 1.47 hr and 6.90 +/- 2.3 hr. Total prostaglandin E levels in synovial fluid of these patients were suppressed for at least 24 hr after the last dose of tolmetin, suggesting that PGE synthesis continues to be suppressed even by the very low concentrations of tolmetin remaining after 24 hr.

Adult↗

Association between arthroscopic diagnosis of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis and synovial fluid nitric oxide levels.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between synovial fluid levels of nitric oxide and clinical and arthroscopic findings of synovitis or cartilaginous degeneration. STUDY DESIGN: Arthroscopic surgery was performed on 20 joints in 15 female patients with internal derangement and osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint. Synovial fluid aspirates were obtained immediately before arthroscopy. Synovial fluid was also obtained from 14 joints of 11 female asymptomatic volunteers. The concentration of nitrite in the fluid recovered from each temporomandibular joint was measured through use of a highly sensitive and specific chemiluminescence detection method, calibrated per 1 mg of synovial fluid protein and expressed as nitric oxide; the result was then compared with clinical and arthroscopic findings of synovitis and cartilaginous degeneration. RESULTS: Significantly higher levels of nitric oxide (median, 0.331 micromol/mg) were seen in the patients with internal derangement and osteoarthritis than in the control group (median, 0.001 micromol/mg; P<.0001). Synovial fluid from joints with pain in the joint area had significantly higher levels of nitric oxide than did fluid from joints without such pain. Synovial fluid from joints with degenerative changes (median, 0.467 micromol/mg) had significantly higher levels of nitric oxide than did fluid from joints without osteoarthritis (median, 0.057 micromol/mg; P<.05). Although the levels of nitric oxide in synovial fluid aspirates were markedly elevated in some joints with synovitis, there was no correlation between the levels of nitric oxide and the presence of synovitis. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that increased levels of nitric oxide are involved in the pathogenesis of cartilaginous degeneration of the temporomandibular joint.

Adult↗

Analysis of synovial fluid from clinically normal alpacas and llamas.

OBJECTIVE: To establish reference range values for synovial fluid from clinically normal New World camelids. ANIMALS: 15 llamas and 15 alpacas. PROCEDURE: Llamas and alpacas were anesthetized with an IM injection of a xylazine hydrochloride, butorphanol tartrate, and ketamine hydrochloride combination. Synovial fluid (1 to 2 ml) was obtained by aseptic arthrocentesis from the radiocarpal and tarsocrural joints. Synovial fluid evaluation included determination of total nucleated cell count (NCC), absolute number and percentage of polymorphonuclear (PMN) and mononuclear leukocytes, total protein, and specific gravity. RESULTS: Synovial fluid evaluation revealed a total NCC of 100 to 1,400 cells/microl (mean +/- SD, 394.8+/-356.2 cells/microl; 95% confidence interval [CI], 295.2 to 494.6 cells/microl). Mononuclear leukocytes were the predominant cell type with lymphocytes, composing 50 to 90% (mean, 75.6+/-172%; 95% CI, 70.8 to 80.4%) of the mononuclear leukocytes. Approximately 0 to 12% (mean, 1.3+/-2.9%; 95% CI, 0.49 to 2.11%) of the cells were PMN leukocytes. Total protein concentrations ranged from 2.0 to 3.8 g/dl (mean, 2.54+/-0.29 g/dl; 95% CI, 2.46 to 2.62 g/dl); the specific gravity ranged between 1.010 and 1.026 (mean, 1.017+/-0.003; 95% CI, 1.016 to 1.018). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In llamas and alpacas, significant differences do not exist between species or between limbs (left vs right) or joints (radiocarpal vs tarsocrural) for synovial fluid values. Total NCC and absolute number and percentage of PMN and mononuclear leukocyte are similar to those of other ruminants and horses. However, synovial fluid total protein concentrations in New World camelids are high, compared with other domestic species.

Animals↗

Synovial fluid cell analysis.

Arthrocentesis has to be considered as a part of the clinical examination. A reasonable amount of aspirated synovial fluid is the best argument in favour of an objective articular disorder. Moreover some very simple evaluations are very helpful to make a diagnosis and to distinguish some particularities of rheumatic diseases. Such evaluations have to include both bacterial and synovial fluid analysis. Moreover, when performing synovial fluid analysis, a search for microcrystals is also performed. Haemarthrosis can easily be distinguished from a traumatic tap if the investigator is observing carefully the synovial fluid entering in the syringe. The diseases responsible for haemarthrosis differ with the age of patients: chondrocalcinosis, together with osteoarthrosis, is the most frequent aetiology in the elderly; disorders of haemostasis and synovial tumours are mostly observed in children and young adults. Paucicellular (< 1000 cells/mm3) synovial fluid is observed in different 'mechanical' disorders. In the case of purulent synovial fluid the primary diagnosis is septic arthritis. However, the most common aetiology is probably crystal-induced acute arthritis. Differential cell count analysis performed in case of 'inflammatory' (> 1000 or 2000 cells/mm3) synovial fluid usually shows a predominance of polymorphonuclear cells. However, high cellularity may sometimes be associated with a predominance of other cells, i.e. lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils. In this situation, such a simple evaluation (differential cell count analysis) is very helpful in making a diagnosis, e.g. eosinophilic arthritis, or to distinguish some particularities of rheumatic diseases, e.g. absence of cartilage breakdown in case of lymphocytic arthritis.

Crystallization↗

The influence of synovial fluid on adenovirus-mediated gene transfer to the synovial tissue.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of synovial fluid (SF) from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients on adenovirus type 5 (Ad5)-mediated gene transfer to synoviocytes, and to explore new strategies for vector development based on the neutralization data obtained. METHODS: SF was derived from 63 randomly selected R4 patients. Ten samples were used to study the effect of SF on Ad5-mediated gene transfer in synoviocytes. IgG and <100-kd fractions were purified from these 10 SF, and their effect on gene transfer was determined. Neutralizing activity against wild-type Ad5 (wt-Ad5), wt-Ad26, wt-Ad34, wt-Ad35, and wt-Ad48 was tested in the SF from the remaining 53 patients. RESULTS: Seven of 10 SF samples inhibited Ad5-mediated gene transfer. Purified antibodies exhibited inhibition patterns similar to those seen with unfractionated SF. In 5 of 10 SF samples, low molecular weight fractions inhibited gene transfer at low dilutions. Neutralization of wt-Ad35 by SF from RA patients was less frequent than neutralization of other wt-Ad tested (4% versus 42-72%; n = 53). CONCLUSION: SF from 70% of the RA patients contained neutralizing antibodies that hamper Ad5-mediated gene transfer to synoviocytes. The activity of neutralizing antibodies may be circumvented in the majority of RA patients when vectors based on an Ad35 backbone are used.

Adenoviridae↗