Galectins-1 and-3 Increase in Equine Post-traumatic Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Galectins are potent regulators of cell adhesion, growth and apoptosis in diverse cell types, including chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts. Elevations in synovial fluid galectin-3 have been observed in rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and experimental inflammatory arthritis in animal models, whereas galectin-1 is thought to be protective. Less is known about galectins-1 and-3 in osteoarthritis (OA). Therefore, the purpose of this study was: (1) to determine whether galectin-1 and-3 synovial fluid concentrations and synovial membrane and cartilage histochemical staining were altered following osteochondral injury in an experimental equine osteoarthritis (OA) model and (2) to measure galectin-1 and-3 mRNA expression and synovial fluid concentrations in naturally occurring equine carpal OA. Synovial fluid galectin-1 and-3 concentrations were quantified using custom ELISAs in two research horse cohorts undergoing experimental OA induction (n = 5 and 4) and in a cohort of horses with naturally occurring carpal OA (n = 57). Galectin mRNA expression in synovial membrane and cartilage tissue obtained from carpal joints of horses with naturally occurring OA was measured using RT-qPCR, and galectin immunostaining was assessed in synovial membrane and osteochondral tissues in the experimental model (n = 5). Synovial fluid galectin-1 and-3 concentrations increased following experimental carpal osteochondral fragmentation. Cartilage galectin-1 mRNA expression increased with OA severity in naturally occurring disease. The superficial zone of healthy articular cartilage stained intensely for galectin-3 in sham-operated joints, whereas galectin-1 staining was nearly absent. Chondrocyte galectin-1 and-3 immunoreactivity increased following cartilage injury, particularly in galectin-1 positive chondrones. Galectins-1 and-3 are present in healthy equine synovial fluid and increase following post-traumatic OA. Healthy superficial zone chondrocytes express galectin-3, whereas galectin-1 chondrocyte staining is limited predominantly to chondrones and injured cartilage. Further work is needed to clarify the functions of galectins-1 and-3 in healthy and OA joints.

Assessment of saliva and gingival crevicular fluid soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), galectin‐1, and TNF‐α levels in periodontal health and disease

“…21 It has been shown that galectin-1 levels markedly increased in serum of RA patients and positively correlated with disease activity score 28 (DAS-28) parameters. 48 Reesink et al 49 reported that galectin-1 levels increased with increasing osteoarthri- to compensate excessive inflammation. 50,51 No significant difference was found between study groups in terms of saliva concentration of galectin-1.…”

Temporal changes in synovial fluid composition and elastoviscous lubrication in the equine carpal fracture model

“…Synovial fluid samples were obtained from both limbs at the time of initial arthroscopy (day 0) and at days 5, 9, 12, 19, 26, 33, 61, and 75 post-operatively with aspiration volumes of approximately 2 ml per joint as described previously. 36 Synovial fluid samples were centrifuged at 3,000 g for 5 min immediately after collection, and synovial fluid supernatants were stored at −80°C until analysis. Prior to the surgery, each horse was acclimated to the treadmill for 1 to 4 days.…”

Horses as a Crucial Part of One Health

“…Since horses are often kept in stables, physical inactivity may be a man-made reason for skeletal and joint diseases in horses. On other hand, the extensive training of a horse can lead to NCDs, e.g., post-traumatic osteoarthritis [104] and back problems [32]. Psychological disorders can evolve because of inappropriate housing management, weaning methods, and social or feeding restrictions [105][106][107].…”