To define the cell populations that drive joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we applied single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), mass cytometry, bulk RNA-seq and flow cytometry to T cells, B cells, monocytes and fibroblasts from 51 samples of synovial tissue from patients with RA or osteoarthritis. Utilizing an integrated strategy based on canonical correlation analysis of 5,265 scRNA-seq profiles, we identified 18 unique cell populations. Combining mass cytometry and transcriptomics together revealed cell states expanded in RA synovia: THY1(CD90) + HLA-DRA hi sublining fibroblasts, IL1B + pro-inflammatory monocytes, ITGAX + TBX21 + autoimmune-associated B cells and PDCD1 + T peripheral helper (Tph) and T follicular helper (Tfh). We defined distinct subsets of CD8 + T cells characterized by a GZMK + , GZMB + and GNLY + phenotype. We mapped inflammatory mediators to their source cell populations; for example, we attributed IL6 expression to THY1 + HLA-DRA hi fibroblasts, and IL1B production to pro-inflammatory monocytes. These populations are potentially key mediators of RA pathogenesis.

Wei, Slowikowski, Fonseka, Rao et al A single cell map of the RA joint Abstract 78 To define the cell populations in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) driving joint inflammation, we applied 79 single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq), mass cytometry, bulk RNA-seq, and flow cytometry to sorted 80 T cells, B cells, monocytes, and fibroblasts from 51 synovial tissue RA and osteoarthritis (OA) 81 patient samples. Utilizing an integrated computational strategy based on canonical correlation 82 analysis to 5,452 scRNA-seq profiles, we identified 18 unique cell populations. Combining mass 83 cytometry and transcriptomics together revealed cell states expanded in RA synovia: 84 THY1 + HLA high sublining fibroblasts (OR=33.8), IL1B + pro-inflammatory monocytes (OR=7.8), 85 CD11c + T-bet + autoimmune-associated B cells (OR=5.7), and PD-1 + Tph/Tfh (OR=3.0). We also 86 defined CD8 + T cell subsets characterized by GZMK + , GZMB + , and GNLY + expression. Using 87 bulk and single-cell data, we mapped inflammatory mediators to source cell populations, for 88 example attributing IL6 production to THY1 + HLA high fibroblasts and naïve B cells, and IL1B to 89 pro-inflammatory monocytes. These populations are potentially key mediators of RA 90 pathogenesis. 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100

Background It has been suggested that synovitis causes joint pain. On non-contrast-enhanced MRIs synovial thickening cannot be assessed and on these images synovitis has been inconsistently associated with pain. Objective To assess synovial thickening in relation to knee pain severity among subjects in the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST) using contrast-enhanced (CE) MRI. Methods MOST is a cohort study of people who have, or are at high risk of, knee osteoarthritis (OA). An unselected subset of 535 participants who volunteered underwent CE 1.5 T MRI of one knee. Synovitis was scored in six compartments and a summary score was created. Knee pain severity was assessed using the maximum item score on the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain scale. The association between synovitis and pain severity was examined using a logistic regression model adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), MRI bone marrow lesions and effusions in the whole sample and in a subgroup without radiographic OA. Results 454 of the 535 subjects undergoing CE MRI had complete data on synovitis and WOMAC pain. Mean age was 59 years, mean BMI 30 and 48% were women. In knees with moderate pain, 80% had synovitis. For knee pain, synovitis conferred a 9.2-fold increased odds compared with those without synovitis. In knees without radiographic OA (n=329), there was also an association of synovitis with an increased prevalence of pain. Conclusion Synovitis has a strong relation with knee pain severity, an association detected more clearly with CE MRI than suggested by previous studies using non-CE MRI measures of synovitis.

In participants with minimal baseline cartilage damage, the presence of high BMI, meniscal damage, synovitis or effusion, or any severe baseline MR-depicted lesions was strongly associated with an increased risk of fast cartilage loss. Patients with these risk factors may be ideal subjects for preventative or treatment trials.

Objectives To introduce a comprehensive and reliable scoring system for the assessment of whole-knee joint synovitis based on contrast-enhanced (CE) MRI. Methods Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST) is a cohort study of people with, or at high risk of, knee osteoarthritis (OA). Subjects are an unselected subset of MOST who volunteered for CE-MRI. Synovitis was assessed at 11 sites of the joint. Synovial thickness was scored semiquantitatively: grade 0 (<2 mm), grade 1 (2–4 mm) and grade 2 (>4 mm) at each site. Two musculoskeletal radiologists performed the readings and inter- and intrareader reliability was evaluated. Whole-knee synovitis was assessed by summing the scores from all sites. The association of Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index pain score with this summed score and with the maximum synovitis grade for each site was assessed. Results 400 subjects were included (mean age 58.8±7.0 years, body mass index 29.5±4.9 kg/m2, 46% women). For individual sites, intrareader reliability (weighted κ) was 0.67–1.00 for reader 1 and 0.60–1.00 for reader 2. Inter-reader agreement (κ) was 0.67–0.92. For the summed synovitis scores, intrareader reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)) was 0.98 and 0.96 for each reader and inter-reader agreement (ICC) was 0.94. Moderate to severe synovitis in the parapatellar subregion was associated with the higher maximum pain score (adjusted OR (95% CI), 2.8 (1.4 to 5.4) and 3.1 (1.2 to 7.9), respectively). Conclusions A comprehensive semiquantitative scoring system for the assessment of whole-knee synovitis is proposed. It is reliable and identifies knees with pain, and thus is a potentially powerful tool for synovitis assessment in epidemiological OA studies.