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Review
. 2017 Dec;15(6):593-600.
doi: 10.1007/s11914-017-0411-y.

Immune Contributions to Osteoarthritis

Erika Barboza Prado Lopes  1 , Adrian Filiberti  2 , Syed Ali Husain  2 , Mary Beth Humphrey  3   4
Affiliations
Review

Immune Contributions to Osteoarthritis

Erika Barboza Prado Lopes et al. Curr Osteoporos Rep. 2017 Dec.

Abstract

Purpose of the review: Mounting evidence supports a role of low-grade inflammation in the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis (OA). We review and discuss the role of synovitis, complement activation, cytokines, and immune cell population in OA.

Recent findings: Using newer imaging modalities, synovitis is found in the majority of knees with OA. Complement activation and pro-inflammatory cytokines play a significant role in the development of cartilage destruction and synovitis. Immune cell infiltration of OA synovial tissue by sub-populations of T cells and activated macrophages correlates with OA disease progression and pain. The innate and acquired immune system plays a key role in the low-grade inflammation found associated with OA. Targets of these pathways my hold promise for future disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs).

Keywords: Chemokines; Macrophages; Osteoarthritis; Synovitis; T cells.

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References

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