Identification and expression of iron regulators in human synovium: evidence for upregulation in haemophilic arthropathy compared to rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and healthy controls.

Recurrent joint bleeding is the most common manifestation of severe haemophilia resulting in haemophilic arthropathy (HA). Iron plays a central role in the pathogenesis of the two main features of HA: synovitis and cartilage destruction. The aim of this study was to investigate the synovial presence of the iron regulator proteins ferroportin (FPN), hepcidin, haemoglobin scavenger receptor CD163 (CD163), feline leukaemia virus subgroup C (FLVCR), and heme carrier protein 1 (HCP-1).

Intra-articular glucocorticoid injections decrease the number of steroid hormone receptor positive cells in synovial tissue of patients with persistent knee arthritis.

Objectives: To explore changes in the number of steroid hormone receptor positive cells in synovial tissue (ST) after intra-articular glucocorticoid injection, to correlate these changes with changes in clinical variables, and to evaluate whether the number of steroid hormone receptor positive cells predicted the clinical response to glucocorticoid injection.

Methods: Fourteen patients with persistent knee arthritis despite at least two previous injections in an outpatient setting received an intra-articular injection with glucocorticoids, followed by 3 days of admission with bed rest. Clinical efficacy was assessed at 6 and 12 weeks.

IL-4 alone and in combination with IL-10 protects against blood-induced cartilage damage.

Objective: It has been reported that interleukin (IL)-10 limits blood-induced cartilage damage. Our aim was to study the effect of IL-4 alone and in combination with IL-10 on blood-induced cartilage damage.

Design: Healthy human full thickness cartilage explants were cultured for 4 days in the presence of 50% v/v blood.

Increased interleukin (IL)-7Rα expression in salivary glands of patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome is restricted to T cells and correlates with IL-7 expression, lymphocyte numbers and activity.

Objective: To identify interleukin (IL)-7Rα expression in the labial salivary gland (LSG) of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and non-Sjögren's syndrome sicca (nSS-sicca) and to study its correlation with glandular inflammation and IL-7 expression.

Methods: The presence of infiltrating immune cells and IL-7Rα cells in inflamed LSG of patients with pSS (n=12) and nSS-sicca controls (n=7) was studied by immunohistochemistry and fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis upon tissue digestion (n=15 and n=13, respectively). Additionally, the correlations of IL-7Rα cells with hallmark disease parameters of pSS, major infiltrating inflammatory cells and IL-7 were assessed.

Very rapid clearance after a joint bleed in the canine knee cannot prevent adverse effects on cartilage and synovial tissue.

Objective: Joint bleeding leads to joint destruction. In vitro exposure of human and canine cartilage to blood results in long-lasting severe adverse changes in cartilage. An in vivo joint haemorrhage in the canine knee joint demonstrates similar adverse effects although significantly less outspoken.