Arthritis research & therapy
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Arthritis Res. Ther. · Aug 2015
The effects of experimental knee pain on lower limb corticospinal and motor cortex excitability.
Notable weakness of the quadriceps muscles is typically observed as a consequence of knee joint arthritis, knee surgery and knee injury. This is partly due to ongoing neural inhibition that prevents the central nervous system from fully activating the quadriceps, a process known as arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI). To investigate the mechanisms underlying AMI, this study explored the effects of experimental knee pain on lower limb corticospinal and motor cortex excitability. ⋯ Quadriceps corticospinal excitability increases during experimental knee pain, providing no evidence for a supraspinal contribution to quadriceps AMI.
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Arthritis Res. Ther. · Jul 2015
Cartilage in facet joints of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) shows signs of cartilage degeneration rather than chondrocyte hypertrophy: implications for joint remodeling in AS.
In ankylosing spondylitis (AS), joint remodeling leading to joint ankylosis involves cartilage fusion. Here, we analyzed whether chondrocyte hypertrophy is involved in cartilage fusion and subsequent joint remodeling in AS. ⋯ We found no evidence for chondrocyte hypertrophy within hyaline cartilage of AS joints even in the presence of reduced expression of the wnt inhibitor wif-1 suggesting that chondrocyte hypertrophy is not a predominant pathway involved in joint fusion and remodeling in AS. In contrast, the reduced expression of Sox9, BMP-2 and BMP-7 concomitantly with induced COL2 expression rather point to disturbed cartilage homeostasis promoting cartilage degeneration in AS.
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Arthritis Res. Ther. · May 2015
Multicenter StudyA candidate gene study reveals association between a variant of the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPAR-γ) gene and systemic sclerosis.
The multifunctional nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) has potent anti-fibrotic effects, and its expression and activity are impaired in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). We investigated PPAR-γ gene (PPARG) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with SSc. ⋯ A PPARG variant is associated with susceptibility to SSc, consistent with a role of PPAR-γ in the pathogenesis of SSc.
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Arthritis Res. Ther. · Apr 2015
The novel S59P mutation in the TNFRSF1A gene identified in an adult onset TNF receptor associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) constitutively activates NF-κB pathway.
Mutations in the TNFRSF1A gene, encoding tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNF-R1), are associated with the autosomal dominant autoinflammatory disorder, called TNF receptor associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS). TRAPS is clinically characterized by recurrent episodes of long-lasting fever and systemic inflammation. A novel mutation (c.262 T > C; S59P) in the TNFRSF1A gene at residue 88 of the mature protein was recently identified in our laboratory in an adult TRAPS patient. The aim of this study was to functionally characterize this novel TNFRSF1A mutation evaluating its effects on the TNF-R1-associated signaling pathways, firstly NF-κB, under particular conditions and comparing the results with suitable control mutations. ⋯ The novel S59P mutation leads to defective cellular trafficking and to constitutive activation of TNF-R1. This mutation also determines constitutive activation of the IL-1R pathway, inhibition of apoptosis and enhanced and persistent NF-κB activation and cytokine secretion in response to IL-1β stimulation.
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Arthritis Res. Ther. · Apr 2015
Review Meta AnalysisGout and risk of chronic kidney disease and nephrolithiasis: meta-analysis of observational studies.
To determine the prevalence of chronic kidney disease and nephrolithiasis in people with gout, and the association between gout and prevalent or incident chronic kidney disease and nephrolithiasis. ⋯ Chronic kidney disease and nephrolithiasis are commonly found amongst patients with gout. Gout is independently associated with both chronic kidney disease and nephrolithiasis. Patients with gout should be actively screened for chronic kidney disease and its consequences.