Comparison of differentiated dendritic cell infiltration of autoimmune and osteoarthritis synovial tissue

Abstract

Objective Infiltration of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial tissue (ST) by differentiated dendritic cells (DC) is a consistent feature in patients with active disease. However, mononuclear cells (MNC), including DC, may be nonspecifically chemoattracted to inflammatory sites regardless of etiology. Therefore, to evaluate the specificity of ST infiltration by differentiated DC, synovial biopsies from patients with RA, spondylarthropathy (SpA), osteoarthritis (OA), and gout were examined. Methods Formalin‐fixed ST sections were analyzed by double immunohistochemical staining for vascularity and infiltration by differentiated DC, lymphocytes, and macrophages. Results DC containing nuclear RelB were found in perivascular MNC aggregates from patients with all arthritides studied. Infiltration by differentiated DC was similar in RA and SpA ST, but reduced in OA ST. Differentiated DC were always observed in close association with lymphocytes, and the correlation between these variables suggested that the infiltration of inflammatory sites by DC and lymphocytes was associated. Conclusion Perivascular infiltration by DC, lymphocytes, and macrophages is nonspecifically related to inflammation, but signals present in RA and SpA ST lead to more intense cellular infiltration and accumulation.

Co‐stimulatory and adhesion molecules of dendritic cells in rheumatoid arthritis

“…Correspondingly, infiltration of ST by macrophages and the expression of macrophage-derived cytokines in ST of patients with RA have been noted [39][40][41]. A recent study demonstrates a close correlation between differentiated DCs infiltration, lymphocytic infiltration and vascularity in ST from patients not only with RA, but also with osteoarthritis and spondyloarthropathy, suggesting common factors mediating the migration of DCs and lymphocytes into damaged joints [42].…”

Synovial inflammation, immune cells and their cytokines in osteoarthritis: a review

“…Several authors reported that macrophages and T cells are the most abundant cells 8,9,11,17,20,21,25,34,35,37,45,47,48,51,56,57,61,62,69,78 . Mast cells (MCs) 49,50,54,55,58e60,64,67,70,79 , as well as B cells and plasma cells were found, although the last two in lower amounts than other cells 9,11,21,24,25,33e35,44,45,57,69,73 .…”

“…Mast cells (MCs) 49,50,54,55,58e60,64,67,70,79 , as well as B cells and plasma cells were found, although the last two in lower amounts than other cells 9,11,21,24,25,33e35,44,45,57,69,73 . Natural killer cells were detected in OA ST 65 and several authors describe the presence of low numbers of dendritic cells (DCs) 8,53,66,69 . Neutrophils were almost never found 21,34,35,44,48,62 .…”

Antigen‐specific suppression of established arthritis in mice by dendritic cells deficient in NF‐κB

“…The NF-B transcription factor pathway plays a key role in the differentiation, activation, and survival of almost all cells in the body. In RA, active NF-B is localized in the nucleus of hemopoietic and parenchymal cells (2)(3)(4). Moreover, previous studies of NF-B inhibitors in animal models of RA demonstrated the important role played by NF-B in the production of mediators of inflammation in the joint and the antiinflammatory effect of such inhibitors (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10).…”