The expression and significance of vascular endothelial growth factor in knee synovial membranes and synovial fluids of patients with osteoarthritis / 中华风湿病学杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo investigate the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)in knee synovial membranes and synovial fluids whether it could be a marker for progressive osteoarthritis.MethodsKnee synovial membranes and synovial fluids of patients with osteoarthritis who were underwent total knee arthroplaaty or arthroscopy were collected. They were classified into four groups according to the radiographic grading[Kellegren-Lawrence(K-L) grade]. Appoint K-L-0-grade patients who suffered from menisci injuries only served as controls. The levels of VEGF in the synovial fluid were measured by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and VEGF-secreting cells were identified by immunohistochemistry.ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. ResultsVarious degrees of inflammation could be found in all the samplesevaluated histologically on HE-stained sections. Synovial tissue inflammation presented as synovial lining thickening, and inflammatory cells infiltration. VEGF expressed in the synovium linings and surrounding blood vessels. The VEGF levels in the synovial fluids were increased accordingly with K-L grades, which reached the peak level in the late stage of osteoarthritis. The levels of VEGF in the synovial fluids were significantly higher in patients with osteoarthritis[from (1181±116), (1632±140) to (2252±216) pg/ml]than in those with menisci injury (P＜0.01); The percent ages positive cell in each groups were (5±4)％ , (9±4)％,(16±6)％ and (21±6)％ respectively, there were significantly differences too (P＜0.01). ConclusionVEGF originated from synovial tissue may play a role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. High levels of VEGF in the synovial fluids can be regarded as the marker of active osteoarthritis.