CD11c+ macrophages and levels of TNF-α and MMP-3 are increased in synovial and adipose tissues of osteoarthritic mice with hyperlipidaemia

Abstract

Summary To understand more clearly the link between osteoarthritis and hyperlipidaemia, we investigated the inflammatory macrophage subsets and macrophage-regulated matrix metalloprotease-3 (MMP-3) and A disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS4) in synovial (ST) and adipose tissues (AT) of osteoarthritic mice with hyperlipidaemia (STR/Ort). CD11c+F4/80+CD11b+ macrophage populations in the ST and AT of 9-month-old STR/Ort and C57BL/6J mice were characterized and compared by flow cytometry and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses. Expression of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, MMP-3 and ADAMTS4, and the response of these factors to anionic liposomal clodronate induced-macrophage depletion were also evaluated by real-time PCR. Expression of TNF-α in CD11c+ cells, which were isolated by magnetic beads, was compared to CD11c– cells. In addition, the effect of TNF-α on cultured synovial fibroblasts and adipocytes was investigated. CD11c+F4/80+CD11b+ macrophages were increased in ST and AT of STR/Ort mice. The CD11c+ cell fraction highly expressed TNF-α. Expression of TNF-α and MMP3 was increased in ST and AT, and was decreased upon macrophage depletion. TNF-α treatment of cultured synovial fibroblasts and adipocytes markedly up-regulated MMP-3. CD11c+F4/80+CD11b+ macrophages were identified as a common inflammatory subset in the AT and ST of STR/Ort mice with hyperlipidaemia. The induction of inflammation in AT and ST may be part of a common mechanism that regulates MMP3 expression through TNF-α. Our findings suggest that increased numbers of CD11c+ macrophages and elevated levels of TNF-α and MMP-3 in AT and ST may explain the relationship between hyperlipidaemia and OA.