Aims. To investigate the correlations among cytokines and regulatory T cells (T-regs) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients, and their changes after anti-tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) treatment. Methods. We included 72 AS patients with detailed medical records, disease activity score (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index), functional index (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index), and laboratory data (interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10, TNF-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, ESR, and CRP). Their peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were marked with anti-CD4, anti-CD25, and anti-FoxP3 antibodies, and triple positive T cells were gated by flow cytometry as T-regs. Their correlations were calculated and the changes after anti-TNF-α therapy were compared. Results. The frequency of T-regs in PBMCs was positively correlated to ESR and CRP in AS (r = 0.35 and 0.43; p = 0.032 and 0.027, respectively), and there was also a significant correlation between serum level of TNF-α and CRP (p = 0.041). The frequency of T-regs in PBMCs positively correlated to serum levels of TNF-α, IL-10, and TGF-β, while IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-γ showed opposite results. After anti-TNF-α treatment, there were significantly lower serum levels of TNF-α, IL-10, TGF-β, and frequency of T-regs in PBMCs among these AS patients (p = 0.026, 0.032, 0.029, and 0.037, respectively). Conclusion. In AS patients, proinflammatory cytokine may give positive feedback to induce more T-reg production and anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion to suppress this inflammatory status, and they can be reversed by anti-TNF-α therapy. However, the detailed interactions among T-regs and complex cytokine networks in autoinflammatory diseases still need more studies and further functional assay. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2023;12(2):133–137

Aims

Transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases in all organ systems. Despite its importance, NF-κB targeted drug therapy to mitigate chronic inflammation has had limited success in preclinical studies. We hypothesized that sex differences affect the response to NF-κB treatment during chronic inflammation in bone. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of NF-κB decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) during chronic inflammation in male and female mice.

Aims

Osteoporosis is characterized by decreased trabecular bone volume, and microarchitectural deterioration in the medullary cavity. Interleukin-19 (IL-19), a member of the IL-10 family, is an anti-inflammatory cytokine produced primarily by macrophages. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of IL-19 on osteoporosis.

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To investigate the optimal thresholds and diagnostic efficacy of commonly used serological and synovial fluid detection indexes for diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in patients who have rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

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Metabolic profiling is a top-down method of analysis looking at metabolites, which are the intermediate or end products of various cellular pathways. Our primary objective was to perform a systematic review of the published literature to identify metabolites in human synovial fluid (HSF), which have been categorized by metabolic profiling techniques. A secondary objective was to identify any metabolites that may represent potential biomarkers of orthopaedic disease processes.

Aims

The purpose of this study was to validate our hypothesis that centrifugation may eliminate false-positive leucocyte esterase (LE) strip test results caused by autoimmune diseases in the diagnosis of knee infection.

Aims

To assess the effect of physical exercise (PE) on the histological and transcriptional characteristics of proteoglycan-induced arthritis (PGIA) in BALB/c mice.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides with limited coding potential, which have emerged as novel regulators in many biological and pathological processes, including growth, development, and oncogenesis. Accumulating evidence suggests that lncRNAs have a special role in the osteogenic differentiation of various types of cell, including stem cells from different sources such as embryo, bone marrow, adipose tissue and periodontal ligaments, and induced pluripotent stem cells. Involved in complex mechanisms, lncRNAs regulate osteogenic markers and key regulators and pathways in osteogenic differentiation. In this review, we provide insights into the functions and molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs in osteogenesis and highlight their emerging roles and clinical value in regenerative medicine and osteogenesis-related diseases.

Cite this article: J. Zhang, X. Hao, M. Yin, T. Xu, F. Guo. Long non-coding RNA in osteogenesis: A new world to be explored. Bone Joint Res 2019;8:73–80. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.82.BJR-2018-0074.R1.

Objectives

Osteoporosis is a chronic disease. The aim of this study was to identify key genes in osteoporosis.

Objectives

Normal sagittal spine-pelvis-lower extremity alignment is crucial in humans for maintaining an ergonomic upright standing posture, and pathogenesis in any segment leads to poor balance. The present study aimed to investigate how this sagittal alignment can be affected by severe knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and whether associated changes corresponded with symptoms of lower back pain (LBP) in this patient population.

Neurogenic heterotopic ossification (NHO) is a disorder of aberrant bone formation affecting one in five patients sustaining a spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury. Ectopic bone forms around joints in characteristic patterns, causing pain and limiting movement especially around the hip and elbow. Clinical sequelae of neurogenic heterotopic ossification include urinary tract infection, pressure injuries, pneumonia and poor hygiene, making early diagnosis and treatment clinically compelling. However, diagnosis remains difficult with more investigation needed. Our pathophysiological understanding stems from mechanisms of basic bone formation enhanced by evidence of systemic influences from circulating humor factors and perhaps neurological ones. This increasing understanding guides our implementation of current prophylaxis and treatment including the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, bisphosphonates, radiation therapy and surgery and, importantly, should direct future, more effective ones.