The tumour-associated glycoprotein podoplanin is expressed in fibroblast-like synoviocytes of the hyperplastic synovial lining layer in rheumatoid arthritis
2011

Podoplanin Expression in Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Tissue

Sample size: 27 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Ekwall Anna-Karin H, Eisler Thomas, Anderberg Christian, Jin Chunsheng, Karlsson Niclas, Brisslert Mikael, Bokarewa Maria I

Primary Institution: Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University

Hypothesis

Is podoplanin expressed in areas of synovial transformation in rheumatoid arthritis?

Conclusion

Podoplanin is highly expressed in fibroblast-like synoviocytes of the invading synovial tissue in rheumatoid arthritis.

Supporting Evidence

  • Podoplanin was expressed in 50% of cultured primary fibroblast-like synoviocytes.
  • Podoplanin expression was most pronounced in areas with lining layer hyperplasia.
  • Proinflammatory cytokines increased podoplanin expression in cultured RA-FLS.

Takeaway

This study found that a protein called podoplanin is found in high amounts in the tissue of people with rheumatoid arthritis, which might help those cells move and invade other areas.

Methodology

Podoplanin expression was assessed in human synovial tissue from 18 RA patients and 9 OA patients using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis.

Limitations

The study could not analyze the correlation between erosive disease and podoplanin expression due to lack of early RA tissue specimens.

Participant Demographics

{"RA":{"sample_size":18,"mean_age":61.8,"sex_ratio":"13F/6M","seropositive_percentage":82,"disease_duration":21.9,"DMARDs_percentage":72,"steroids_percentage":44,"biologic_drugs_percentage":33},"OA":{"sample_size":9,"mean_age":68.4,"sex_ratio":"6F/3M"}}

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.0001

Statistical Significance

p<0.0001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/ar3274

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