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Abstract
Objective: To analyse the levels of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in the synovial fluids and sera of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and to identify the IL‐6‐secreting cells.
Methods: Serum, synovial fluid, synovial tissue, and articular cartilage samples were collected from 49 OA patients with end‐stage knee or hip OA who underwent joint replacement surgery. Serum and synovial fluid levels of IL‐6 were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and IL‐6‐secreting cells were identified by immunohistochemistry.
Results: Eight out of 49 patients (16%) exhibited elevated IL‐6 levels in the synovial fluids, averaging at 2022±526 pg/mL, while the levels in the rest of the patients averaged at 132±19 pg/mL. The sera levels of all patients were comparable in the 10 pg/mL range. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed plasma cells in the synovial lining of the high producers as the source of IL‐6.
Conclusions: Synovial fluid IL‐6 levels may help to classify OA patients and may point to a subgroup with a particular impact from their immune system.