Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Inflammation in knee fat pad of dogs with cruciate ligament disease
By Manuel R. Schmidli et al.·Published in BMC Veterinary Research·2018·Division of Small Animal Surgery and Orthopaedics, Department of clinical veterinary medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, GB·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Inflammatory pattern of the infrapatellar fat pad in dogs with canine cruciate ligament disease
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD) showed increased inflammation in a specific fat pad located in their knee joint. Researchers found that these dogs had more immune cells, particularly T cells, and higher levels of certain inflammatory markers compared to healthy dogs. This suggests that the fat pad may play a role in the development of CCLD. While the study highlights the connection between inflammation and CCLD, more research is needed to fully understand how this fat pad affects the disease.
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Abstract
Abstract Background Despite the importance of inflammation during the pathogenesis of cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD) in dogs and despite the latest knowledge suggesting a significant role of adipose tissue in osteoarthritis, the infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) was up to now mostly disregarded in veterinary investigations. In the present study, the inflammatory activity of the IFP, the main adipose structure within the stifle joint, was thoroughly investigated to evaluate its potential impact in the pathogenesis of this common disease of our canine companions. Samples of IFP, subcutaneous adipose tissue (ScAT) of the thigh and synovial fluid in both diseased (n = 36) and healthy control (n = 23) dogs were tested for their immune cell composition but also for interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10), degradative enzymes (MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, TIMP-2, iNOS) and adipokines (leptin and adiponectin). Characterization of the immune cell composition was ascertained by fluorescence activated cell sorting. Gene expression and protein release of the inflammatory markers was determined by real RT-qPCR and ELISA. Results IFPs of dogs with CCLD had a significantly increased immune cell count with T cells (CD3) as the most abundant immune cells. T cells and macrophages (CD14) were significantly increased compared to healthy controls or corresponding ScAT. In addition, IFPs of dogs with CCLD demonstrated a significant increase on gene as well as protein level of multiple inflammatory indicators (IL-1β, IL-6, MMP-1, MMP-13) compared to the other tissues. TNFα was only increased on gene expression. Adipokine analysis showed higher secretion of adiponectin and lower leptin secretion in IFP from dogs with CCLD than from controls. In the synovial fluid from dogs with CCLD concentrations of IL-1β, MMP-1, MMP-13 as well as leptin were significantly increased compared to the synovial fluid from healthy control dogs. Conclusions The present study indicates that the IFP is a potential contributory factor in the pathogenesis of CCLD, due to its inflammatory phenotype and the proximity within the stifle joint. To determine the extent of this possible inter-relationship, further studies need to be undertaken.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-018-1488-y