Published online Jun 6, 2019. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v7.i11.1262
Peer-review started: February 24, 2019
First decision: March 10, 2019
Revised: March 20, 2019
Accepted: April 8, 2019
Article in press: April 9, 2019
Published online: June 6, 2019
Processing time: 105 Days and 13.2 Hours
Inflammatory cytokines play a vital role in the occurrence of osteoarticular injury and inflammation. Whether inflammation-associated factors interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are involved in the pathogenesis of keen articular cartilage injury remains poorly understood.
To measure the levels of inflammatory factors [IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and VEGF] in patients with knee articular cartilage injury.
Fifty-five patients with knee articular cartilage injury were selected as patient groups, who were divided into three grades [mild (n = 20), moderate (n = 19) and severe (n = 16)] according to disease severity and X-ray examinations. Meanwhile, 30 healthy individuals who underwent physical examination were selected as the control group. The levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and VEGF were measured by ELISA and immunohistochemical staining.
Compared with the control group, patient groups displayed significantly higher levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and VEGF, and the extent of increase was directly proportional to the severity of injury (P < 0.05). In addition, the number of cells with positive staining of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and VEGF in the synovial membrane were significantly increased, along with increased disease severity (P < 0.05). After treatment, the scores of visual analogue scale and the Western Ontario and McMaster University of Orthopaedic Index in patient groups were 2.26 ± 1.13 and 15.56 ± 7.12 points, respectively, which were significantly lower than those before treatment (6.98 ± 1.32 and 49.48 ± 8.96). Correlation analysis suggested that IL-1β and TNF-α were positively correlated with VEGF.
IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and VEGF levels are increased in patients with knee articular cartilage injury, and are associated with the disease severity, indicating they might play an important role in the occurrence and development of knee articular cartilage injury. Furthermore, therapeutically targeting them might be a novel approach for the treatment of keen articular cartilage injury.
Core tip: Increased levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and vascular endothelial growth factor are found in patients with knee articular cartilage injury, and are associated with the disease severity, suggesting that they might be involved in the pathogenesis of knee articular cartilage injury. Furthermore, therapeutically targeting them might be beneficial for the treatment of knee articular cartilage injury.