Macrophage-specific metalloelastase (MMP-12) immunoexpression in the osteochondral unit in osteoarthritis correlates with BMI and disease severity. Issue 3 (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kaspiris, Angelos; Khaldi, Lubna; Chronopoulos, Efstathios; Vasiliadis, Elias; Grivas, Theodoros B.; Kouvaras, Ioannis; Dagkas, Spyridon; Papadimitriou, Evangelia
• Is Part Of: Pathophysiology. Volume 22:Issue 3(2015)
• Page Start: 143
• Page End: 151
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: Osteoarthritis -- MMP-12 -- Immunohistochemistry -- BMI; Physiology, Pathological -- Periodicals; 571.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pathophys.2015.06.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0928-4680

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Metalloproteinase 12 (MMP-12) is induced in chondrocytes during fetal development and malignant transformation.Objectives: The aim of our study is to examine the expression of MMP-12 in the cartilage and the subchondral bone of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and to correlate its expression with disease severity and anthropometric characteristics.Methods: Overall, 60 sections from 20 patients with idiopathic OA, were examined for the immunolocalization of MMP-12. As controls, we used the femoral heads of 4 patients treated with seniarthroplasty after fracture. Demographic characteristics and Body Mass Index (BMI) were calculated for all subjects.Results: Specimens were divided into four groups based on the Mankin histological severity score. The immunohistochemical study showed MMP-12 expression in the cartilage and subchonral bone of OA patients, while there was no expression in normal controls. At the moderate OA changes (Mankin score: 6–7), MMP-12 was detected mainly at the matrix of fibrocartilage tissue. During disease progression, MMP-12 was expressed at the sides of the cartilage and bone erosion and in the bone cysts. Furthermore, it was traced in the osteocytes of the subchondral bone. Osteoblast-like cells and bone lining cells express MMP-12 during the stage of severe OA (Mankin: ≥8). Osteoclasts expressing MMP-12 were also detected in the group of severe OA. Interestingly, MMP-12 expression was positively correlated with the age and the BMI of OA patients.Conclusion: The increased expression of MMP-12 in the bone-cartilage unit of OA patients suggests a possible role in OA pathogenesis and progression. Level of evidence: III, prospective comparative study.