The Expression Of TN-C In Human Knee OA Chondrocytes/Synoviocytes And Serum

Object The aim of this study was to examine whether the expression of tenascin-C (TN-C) in chondrocytes and synoviocytes were elevated in patients with knee osteoarthritis(KOA) as well as compare circulating levels of TN-C in serum between KOA patients and healthy adults.Methods (1) Human KOA and normal chondrocytes as well as synoviocytes were cultured in vitro. mRNA expression of TN-C in these cells were by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).Protein levels of TN-C in these cells were analyzed using Western immunoblotting;(2) Serum were collected from26KOA patients and26healthy adults, respectively. TN-C levels in serum were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results (1) TN-C were expressed both in normal and KOA chondrocytes/synoviocytes. Compared to normal chondrocytes, the expression of TN-C in KOA chondrocytes were elevated in mRNA and protein level. The difference showed statistically significant (p<0.05); Compared to normal synoviocytes, the expression of TN-C in KOA synoviocytes were elevated in mRNA and protein level. The difference showed statistically significant (p<0.05).(2)Compared to healthy controls, circulating TN-C levels in serum were significantly raised in patients with KOA (P<0.05). After adjusting TN-C levels for age and sex, TN-C levels in serum correlated with incidence of knee OA (OR=7.348, P=0.038).Conclusions TN-C mRNA and protein are upregulated in chondrocytes、 synoviocytes along with an increase in TN-C levels in the serum of KOA patients. The changes of levels of TN-C in the serum may serve as effective biomarkers in KOA diagnosis and monitoring.