The objective of this research work is to study the changes in articular
cartilage and chondrocytes in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and the
implication of mononuclear cells apoptosis, proinflammatory cytokines,
keratan sulfate (KS) and Transforming Growth Factor B (TGFB) in the
pathogenesis of the joints changes. The study included 42 children
diagnosed as polyarticular JRA, according to the criteria of the American
College of Rheumatology, and 50 normal children as control. The
following investigations were carried out: histopathology of articular
cartilage specimens and chondrocyte culture, assay of IL-1 a, IL-10,
TNF-a, IL-1R, 'TNFp55, TNFp75 in synovial fluid (SF) and peripheral
blood serum (ser), estimation of concentration of keratan sulfate (KS),
transforming growth factor B (TGFB), CD95, and assessment of
apoptotic index of mononuclear cells, in the synovial fluid and peripheral
blood (PB). The results could be summarized as follows: morphological
and immunohistochemical changes in the matrix and chondrocytes,
increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines and KS, and decreased
CD95, TGFB, apoptotic index of momonuclear cells, in synovial fluid
and peripheral blood. The changes are more significant in SF. In
conclusion, the delayed mononuclear cell apoptosis and increased
secretion of proinflammatory cytokines lead to the morphological and
immunchistochemical changes in articular castilage and chondrocytes,
high KS and low TGFB. So far, we can recommend to add to the strategy
of therapy, anti-proinflammatory cytokines and injections of TGFB for
amelioration of the disease |
