Osteoarthiritis Flashcards
Describe the structure of a synovial joint.
Hyaline Articular cartilage
Synovial membrane that produces synovial fluid
Outer fibrous capsule
The synovial membrane and outer fibrous capsule together form the joint capsule.
Describe the features of a healthy synovium
Connective tissue between the joint capsule and joint space, lines all surfaces expect from the articular cartilage
Inner layer is 1-2 cells thick and consists of type A synovial cells (behave like macrophages) and type B synovial cells (behave like fibroblasts)
Synovial sublining is loos connective tissue with lots of blood vessels, lymphatics and nerves.
What are the different layers of cartilage from the bone surface upwards?
Subchondral bone
Calcified layer
Tidemark - where growth occurs
Deep zone
Middle transitional zone
Superficial tangential zone.
Articular surface
What are some changes in the joint during osteoarthritis?
Subchondral joint cyst - fluid-filled space within a joint
Thickened joint capsule
Premature degeneration of articular cartilage
Synovitis - inflammation of synovial membrane
Fibrillated cartilage
Osteophytes - unusual growths of bone
Altered bone turnover
What is often the initial trigger to osteoarthritis?
Risk factors
Structural damage to cartilage *
Alters chondrocyte function
cytokine release
Results in synovial inflammation and bone remodelling.
What are some of the functions of chondrocytes?
Secrete collagenases
Secrete IL-1 and TNFa
Secrete nitrogen oxide
Secrete proteinases
Synthesises collagen
What is the function of proteinases?
Break down protein
What is the function of collagenase?
To degrade collagen and GAGs, hence degrades cartilage
What can activate a chondrocyte to secrete collagen?
Receptors activated by fragmented matrix molecules
What is the function of matrix metalloproteases in relationship to cartilage?
What is the consequence of this?
Degrade/cleeve aggrecan
Aggregan binds to GAGs to form ECM
Results in degradation of the cartilage ECM, looses its rigidity.
Cartilage is less able to withstand compression.
What are the tissue changes in cartilage in early OA?
Chondrocytes start to proliferate and form active clusters.
They produce proteinases such as MMPs.
There is a gradual loss of aggregan, then type 2 collagen fibres.
This causes cracks (or fibrilations) to appear in the cartilage.
What are some long term consequences of damage to cartilage?
Decreased swelling pressure of proteoglycans
Altered collagen synthesis
Decreased responsiveness of chondrocytes
Loss of shock absorbing properties
How can damage from cartilage cause inflammation?
Release DAMPs from ECM and chondrocytes
Give an overview of inflammation in osteoarthiritis
Synovitis - inflmmation of the synvoium
Identifiable by MRI not x-ray, predates radiological changes
Chronic and low grade
Includes DAMP, TRL signalling, Complement system, CPB, macrophages and mast cells.
Synovium damages create the pain
What are some molecular mediators of inflammation in OA?
Cytokines - TNFa, IL-6, IL-21
Chemokines
Growth Factors - TGFb
Adipokines - lectin, adiponectin, visfatin and resistin
Prostaglandins and Leukotrienes
Neuropeptides - bradykinin and substance P
How can osteoarthirits be classified using an ultrasound?
Ultrasound over affected joint
Use a colour doppler ultrasound signal
A positive doppler test can indicate inflammation of the synovium.
Oseteo is considered at grade 1 to 2 doppler signal
Rheumatoid arthritis is considered at the higher inflammatory score of grade 3 doppler signal.
What are some constitutional risk factors for osteoarthritis?
Ageing
Hereditary
Gender
Hormonal status (menopause)
Metabolic bone disease
What are some local risk factors for osteoarthritis?
Meaning for occurrence in a specific joint
Trauma
Knee - obesity, quadricpes weekness, joint laxity or malalignment
Hip - developmental dysplasia (flattened femur head or smaller acetabulum), occupation (farmer)
What are some of the links between ageing and osteoarthritis?
A third of women and a quarter of men between 45 and 64 have been treated with OA, this rises to half of people aged 75yrs and over
Reduced muscle mass and increased fat mass alter joint loading.
Adipose tissue can increase the risk of inflammation
Increase ROS - oxidative damage and disruption of cell signalling
Chondrocytes have reduced levels of ECM genes expression and can undergo cellular senescence with age.
What statistics show the link between OA and hereditary factors?
Genetics acount for 60% of hand and hip OA, and 40% of knee OA.
What genes are mainly associated with OA in females?
IL 4 - hip OA in females
Oestrogen receptors - OA
What genes are mainly associated with OA in men?
Cartilage intermediate protein
What are some non-gender specific genes associated with OA?
Early OA - COL11A1/2 COL2A1 IL17
Knee - COL9A1, MMPs, cartilage intermediate protein (men)
Hip - Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, IL 6,
General OA - Insulin like growth factor, transforming growth factor Beta, Vitamin D receptor.
Hand - aggrecan
What are Heberdens and Bouchards Node?
Heberdens nodes - distal pharangeal joint
Bouchards nodes - proximal pharangeal joint
Swelling of the joint due to inflammation in arthiritis
What genes are associated with hip osteoarthiritis?
GDF5 - bone morphogenetic protein, bone development
DIO2 - thyroid metabolism, hypothyroidism can increase risk of fluid build up is not cleared
SMAD3 - TGFbeta signalling, maintenance of articular cartilage.