A systems biology approach to synovial joint lubrication in health, injury, and disease

Abstract

The synovial joint contains synovial fluid (SF) within a cavity bounded by articular cartilage and synovium. SF is a viscous fluid that has lubrication, metabolic, and regulatory functions within synovial joints. SF contains lubricant molecules, including proteoglycan-4 and hyaluronan. SF is an ultrafiltrate of plasma with secreted contributions from cell populations lining and within the synovial joint space, including chondrocytes and synoviocytes. Maintenance of normal SF lubricant composition and function are important for joint homeostasis. In osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and joint injury, changes in lubricant composition and function accompany alterations in the cytokine and growth factor environment and increased fluid and molecular transport through joint tissues. Thus, understanding the synovial joint lubrication system requires a multi-faceted study of the various parts of the synovial joint and their interactions. Systems biology approaches at multiple scales are being used to describe the molecular, cellular, and tissue components and their interactions that comprise the functioning synovial joint. Analyses of the transcriptome and proteome of SF, cartilage, and synovium suggest that particular molecules and pathways play important roles in joint homeostasis and disease. Such information may be integrated with physicochemical tissue descriptions to construct integrative models of the synovial joint that ultimately may explain maintenance of health, recovery from injury, or development and progression of arthritis.

Impact of synovial fluid flow on temperature regulation in knee cartilage

“…In particular, synovial fluid flow would naturally play a central role in the heat transfer aspect. The performance of human articular joints is indeed strictly connected with the properties of the synovial fluid, which determines load transmission, lubrication, wear inhibition and protection of the articular cartilage from mechanical stresses during joint movements (Bali and Sharma, 2011;Hui et al, 2012). The lubricant properties of synovial fluid are essential in preventing the temperature increase due to friction (Bergmann et al, 2001a(Bergmann et al, , 2001bSawyer et al, 2003;Tandon and Bali, 1997).…”

Post-Traumatic Arthritis: The Role of Cytokine Levels in Serum and Synovial Fluid

“…Following articular injury, the level of inflammatory cytokines in the synovial fluid increases. Previous studies reported levels of Interleukin 1 and TNF-α to have reached their climax 24 hours after injury (Hui et al, 2012;Lieberthal et al, 2015). These levels remain high for weeks and even months after trauma (Catterall et al, 2010;Olson et al, 2014;Christiansen et al, 2015).…”

Preparation of Amniotic Membrane and It’s Application in the Treatment of Skin Loss and Lyell's Syndrome (Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis): Current State and New Opportunities

“…OrthoFlo, MiMedx Group, Inc.). The amniotic fluid contains growth factors, cytokines, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, hormones, electrolytes, hyaluronic acid as well as other nutrients which play a protective and regulatory role in the inflammatory process and promote regenerative processes [3,40,41]. Although clinical data related to the amniotic fluid is limited, there are studies which indicated that amniotic fluid injections are safe, result in pain reduction and support wound healing [42,43].…”