Proteoglycan-4 and hyaluronan composition in synovial fluid and serum from clinical equine subjects: relationship to cartilage boundary lubrication and viscosity of synovial fluid.
Abstract: : In experimental models of equine joint-injury and osteoarthritis synovial fluid (SF) composition (proteoglycan-4, hyaluronan) can vary, along with changes to SF mechanical function (lubrication, viscosity). The study hypotheses were a) clinical equine joint-injury and disease results in altered SF composition and diminished mechanical function, and b) serum composition (proteoglycan-4 or hyaluronan) changes concurrently. The objectives were to characterize composition (proteoglycan-4, hyaluronan), and function of SF and serum from normal horses compared to clinical groups: osteoarthritis, acute-joint-injury, and osteochondrosis.: Equine samples of SF (from various joints) and blood were collected at the point-of-care. Proteoglycan-4 concentrations were measured by amplified-luminescence-proximity-assay and enzyme-linked-immunosorbent-assay in SF and serum, respectively. Molecular-weight of hyaluronan was characterized by agarose-gel-electrophoresis, and concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked-immunosorbent-assay kit. Biomechanical function of SF was characterized by an cartilage-on-cartilage friction test, and viscosity test.: SF proteoglycan-4 concentration increased in acute-joint-injury (1185 ± 276 versus normal 205 ± 106 µg/mL, µ± SEM, p < 0.01), with increased percentage of lower molecular-weight hyaluronan in acute-joint-injury and osteochondrosis. SF and serum proteoglycan-4 concentrations were correlated in normal horses (r = 0.85, p < 0.05), but not in clinical groups. Cartilage-lubricating ability was unchanged, although steady-shear viscosity of acute-joint-injury SF decreased from normal.: Composition of SF from cases of equine acute-joint-injury changed; both proteoglycan-4 concentration and hyaluronan molecular-weight were altered, with decreased SF viscosity, but no associated changes to serum. Serum proteoglycan-4 and hyaluronan concentrations alone may not be useful biomarkers for equine joint-injury or disease.
Publication Date: 2020-04-20 PubMed ID: 32306780DOI: 10.1080/03008207.2020.1751140Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research article focuses on the relationship between the composition of synovial fluid (SF) and serum, specifically proteoglycan-4 and hyaluronan, in horses, in relation to the mechanical function of the joint fluid and cartilage boundary lubrication. The study also investigates changes in the serum and SF composition in cases of joint injury and disease in horses.
Study Hypotheses and Objectives
- The article starts by presenting two hypotheses. The first is that clinical joint injury and disease in horses cause alterations in the SF composition and reduce its mechanical function. The second hypothesis is that these changes in SF are concurrent with changes in the serum composition of either proteoglycan-4 or hyaluronan.
- The objectives of the research were to examine and compare the composition and function of SF and serum in healthy horses with those suffering from osteoarthritis, acute joint injury, and osteochondrosis.
Methodology
- Equine samples of SF from various joints and blood were collected.
- Concentrations of proteoglycan-4 were measured using amplified luminescence proximity assay in SF and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in serum.
- Molecular weight of hyaluronan was characterized using agarose gel electrophoresis and its concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.
- The biomechanical function of SF was characterized using a cartilage-on-cartilage friction test and a viscosity test.
Results
- The study found that in instances of acute joint injury in horses, SF proteoglycan-4 concentration increased and there was a higher percentage of lower molecular-weight hyaluronan.
- The concentration of proteoglycan-4 in SF and serum were correlated in healthy horses, but no such correlation was found in clinical groups.
- Cartilage lubricating ability remained unaffected, although the steady-shear viscosity of SF decreased in cases of acute joint injury.
Conclusions
- In conclusion, the researchers found that the composition of SF changes in cases of acute joint injury in horses. There’s an increase in proteoglycan-4 concentration and alteration of the molecular weight of hyaluronan, leading to decreased SF viscosity.
- However, there’s no associated change in the serum, suggesting that serum proteoglycan-4 and hyaluronan concentrations may not be useful as biomarkers for equine joint injury or disease.
Cite This Article
APA
Matheson A, Regmi SC, Martin-Alarcon L, Jay GD, Scott WM, Schmidt TA.
(2020).
Proteoglycan-4 and hyaluronan composition in synovial fluid and serum from clinical equine subjects: relationship to cartilage boundary lubrication and viscosity of synovial fluid.
Connect Tissue Res, 62(4), 369-380.
https://doi.org/10.1080/03008207.2020.1751140 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Department of Emergency Medicine - Warren Alpert Medical School & School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cartilage, Articular
- Horses
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Immunosorbents
- Lubrication
- Osteoarthritis / veterinary
- Osteochondrosis
- Proteoglycans
- Synovial Fluid
- Viscosity
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Pendyala M, Woods PS, Brubaker DK, Blaber EA, Schmidt TA, Chan DD. Endogenous production of hyaluronan, PRG4, and cytokines is sensitive to cyclic loading in synoviocytes. PLoS One 2022;17(12):e0267921.
- Mustonen AM, Lehmonen N, Oikari S, Capra J, Raekallio M, Mykkänen A, Paakkonen T, Rilla K, Niemelä T, Nieminen P. Counts of hyaluronic acid-containing extracellular vesicles decrease in naturally occurring equine osteoarthritis. Sci Rep 2022 Oct 20;12(1):17550.
- Matheson A, Regmi SC, Jay GD, Schmidt TA, Scott WM. The Effect of Intense Exercise on Equine Serum Proteoglycan-4/Lubricin. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:599287.
- Womack SJ, Carballo CB, Secor EJ, Rodeo SA, Reesink HL. Proteomics Reveals Increased Periostin in Synovial Fluid From Canine and Human Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury. J Orthop Res 2025 Jul;43(7):1239-1249.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
