Nerve growth factor in the equine joint.
Abstract: Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophin with many functions. In humans, it is involved in inflammation, nerve growth, apoptosis and pain signalling. Increased concentrations of NGF in synovial fluid has been shown in humans and dogs with osteoarthritis. Despite osteoarthritis being a common problem in horses, no studies have previously been published on NGF in the equine joint. The aim of this study was to quantify NGF in equine synovial fluid from healthy joints, acutely inflamed septic joints and joints with structural changes associated with osteoarthritis. A secondary aim was to identify the localisation of NGF and its two receptors, TrkA and p75, in healthy and osteoarthritic articular cartilage. NGF concentrations in synovial fluid from osteoarthritic joints (n = 27), septic joints (n = 9) and healthy joints (n = 16) were determined by ELISA. In addition, articular cartilage from osteoarthritic and healthy joints was examined for NGF, TrkA and p75 using immunohistochemistry staining. NGF was present in equine synovial fluid and articular cartilage. Compared to synovial fluid from healthy joints, NGF concentration was higher in synovial fluid from joints with structural osteoarthritic changes (P = 0.032) or acute septic inflammation (P = 0.006). In articular cartilage with severe osteoarthritic changes, there was more abundant positive immunohistochemistry staining for NGF and its receptors than in normal articular cartilage. Further studies should focus on identifying precursor forms of NGF, and on receptor expression and downstream signalling of TrkA and P75 in health and disease.
Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2020-11-28 PubMed ID: 33375964DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2020.105579Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Apoptosis
- Articular Cartilage
- Cells
- Clinical Study
- Diagnosis
- Disease Diagnosis
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Growth Factors
- Horses
- Immunohistochemistry
- Inflammation
- Joint Health
- Nerves
- Osteoarthritis
- Pain Management
- Physiology
- Synovial Fluid
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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The research article explores the role and existence of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in the joints of horses, particularly focusing on osteoarthritis and providing comparison between healthy, acute septic inflamed, and osteoarthritic joints.
Introduction and Study Objectives
- The study aims to quantify the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), a neurotrophin with multiple functionalities, in synovial fluid from the joints of horses. The subdivisions of the joints studied include healthy joints, those with acute septic inflammation, and those with structural changes due to osteoarthritis.
- It also aims to locate NGF and its receptors, TrkA and p75, in healthy and osteoarthritic articular cartilage.
- Despite osteoarthritis being a common issue in horses, there hadn’t been any previous research on the presence of NGF in horse joints. Increased NGF concentrations have been found in synovial fluid of humans and dogs with osteoarthritis.
Research Methods
- An ELISA test was used to determine the concentrations of NGF in synovial fluid from osteoarthritic joints (27 samples), septic joints (9 samples), and healthy joints (16 samples).
- Immunohistochemistry staining was also employed for the examination of articular cartilage from osteoarthritic and healthy joints to identify the presence of NGF and its receptors, TrkA and p75.
Results and Findings
- NGF was found present in the equine synovial fluid and articular cartilage.
- When compared to the synovial fluid of healthy joints, there was a significantly higher concentration of NGF found in synovial fluid from joints with osteoarthritic structural changes or acute septic inflammation.
- The NGF receptors TrkA and p75 were found more abundant in articular cartilage with severe osteoarthritic changes compared to that of normal articular cartilage through immunohistochemistry staining.
Future Study Suggestions
- The study suggests further research should focus on identifying precursor forms of NGF.
- Moreover, it should investigate receptor expression and downstream signalling of TrkA and p75 in both healthy and diseased states.
Cite This Article
APA
Kendall A, Nyström S, Ekman S, Hultén LM, Lindahl A, Hansson E, Skiöldebrand E.
(2020).
Nerve growth factor in the equine joint.
Vet J, 267, 105579.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2020.105579 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Division of Pathology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7028, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: anna.kendall@slu.se.
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Transfusion Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Bruna Stråket 16, 413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Division of Pathology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7028, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Wallenberg Laboratory, Bruna Stråket 16, 413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Transfusion Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Bruna Stråket 16, 413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Blå Stråket 7, 413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Division of Pathology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7028, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arthritis, Infectious / metabolism
- Arthritis, Infectious / veterinary
- Cartilage, Articular / chemistry
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / metabolism
- Horses
- Immunohistochemistry / veterinary
- Inflammation / metabolism
- Inflammation / veterinary
- Joints / chemistry
- Lameness, Animal / metabolism
- Nerve Growth Factor / analysis
- Osteoarthritis / metabolism
- Osteoarthritis / veterinary
- Synovial Fluid / chemistry
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Kendall A, Lützelschwab C, Lundblad J, Skiöldebrand E. Serum nerve growth factor in horses with osteoarthritis-associated lameness.. J Vet Intern Med 2023 May-Jun;37(3):1201-1208.
- Botto R, Riccio V, Galosi L, Rossi G, Vincenzetti S, Tambella AM, De Francesco F, Pennasilico L, Riccio M, Salvaggio A, Sassaroli S, Palumbo Piccionello A. Effects of Intra-Articular Autologous Adipose Micrograft for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis in Dogs: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jul 20;12(14).
- Voga M, Majdic G. Articular Cartilage Regeneration in Veterinary Medicine.. Adv Exp Med Biol 2022;1401:23-55.
- Kendall A, Ekman S, Skiöldebrand E. Nerve growth factor receptors in equine synovial membranes vary with osteoarthritic disease severity.. J Orthop Res 2023 Feb;41(2):316-324.
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