Serum Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein in Late-Stage Osteoarthritis: Association with Clinical Features, Renal Function, and Cardiovascular Biomarkers

Abstract

This study aimed to assess associations between serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (sCOMP) and phenotypic characteristics in late-stage hip and knee Osteoarthritis (OA) as well as its correlation with further serum markers of possible comorbidities in the Ulm Osteoarthritis Study. Moreover, the prognostic relevance of preoperative sCOMP concentrations for short-term functionality and pain outcomes after hip or knee joint replacement was explored. Preoperative serum samples and detailed information about the health status (i.e., WOMAC scores, Hannover Functionality Status (FFbH)) of 754 OA patients undergoing total joint replacement were included. Spearman rank-correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression models were used to evaluate the relationships between sCOMP, other serum markers, and health outcomes. There was a significant positive association between sCOMP and markers of renal (cystatin C, creatinine, and eGFR) and cardiac (e.g., NT-proBNP) impairment. Since renal failure might cause accumulation of sCOMP, additional adjustment with eGFR was performed. Preoperative sCOMP levels in knee OA but not hip OA patients were positively associated with FFbH, WOMAC function sub-scale and total WOMAC scale as well as the post-operative WOMAC stiffness sub-scale six months after surgery. Our data clearly demonstrate an association between sCOMP and renal function as well as other confounding factors, which should be considered in future biomarker studies.

Soluble biological markers in osteoarthritis

“…For example, a recent study showed that among 754 patients with OA undergoing TJR, those with increased serum COMP levels had a larger decrease of the WOMAC stiffness index compared with those with lower values. 151 In terms of safety issues, a recent exploratory retrospective analysis of the anti-NGF tanezumab trials showed that a combination of some biomarkers may be useful to identify patients with knee OA who are at a high risk of rapidly destructive OA and/or TJR. 137 Monitor treatment efficacy Among the various potential roles of biomarkers in OA, their ability to monitor drug efficacy is probably one of the most important, in association with clinical and imaging parameters.…”

Biomarkers of Joint Damage in Osteoarthritis: Current Status and Future Directions

“…Also, the COMP gene mRNA level in the peripheral blood sample has been reported to be upregulated along with the COMP protein level, in the OA patients, playing a role in the structural integrity of the cartilage through interaction with extracellular matrix proteins by the cell surface integrin receptor [41]. Another study confirmed that the expression of COMP is reduced in the serum of late-stage OA due to proteolytic activity in the affected cartilage as shown in Table 2 [42]. In another study, COMP protein in OASF was downregulated in early-stage OA compared to end-stage OA and showed a positive linear correlation with age, but not significantly correlated with gender.…”

<p>Soluble Biomarkers of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis, from Pathway Mapping to Clinical Trials: An Update</p>

“…98,99 In such a design, the CTX-II/COMP combination may be a marker for early diagnosis, evolution, and disease severity. In the study of Riegger et al, 100 conducted on 754 subjects who underwent total joint replacement, serum COMP levels positively correlated with markers of renal (cystatin C, creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate-eGFR) and cardiac (N-terminal propeptide of brain natriuretic peptide) function. After adjustment for eGFR, COMP levels were still associated with WOMAC scale and sub-scales, 6 months after surgery.…”