Work

PLOD2 gene expression in infrapatellar fat pad is correlated with fat mass in obese patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Objective To investigate associations between obesity-linked systemic factors and gene expression indicative for the inflammatory and fibrotic processes in the infrapatellar fat pad (IFP), in a population of obese patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods We collected human IFPs from 48 patients with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 35.44 kg/m 2 during total knee replacement procedures. These patients were part of a randomized controlled trial and met the criteria of having OA and a BMI of ≥30 kg/m 2 . Blood samples were collected to assess serum levels of glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and leptin. Total body composition was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Gene expressions of IL6, TNFA, COL1A1, IL1B, ASMA, PLOD2 in the IFP were analyzed. Results Univariate analysis resulted in a positive correlation between BMI and procollagen-lysine,2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 2 ( PLOD2 ) expression ( r 2 = 0.13). In univariate analyses of obesity-linked systemic factors and PLOD2 , significant correlations were found for lean mass ( r 2 = 0.20), fat mass ( r 2 = 0.20), serum cholesterol ( r 2 = 0.17), serum triglycerides ( r 2 = 0.19) and serum leptin ( r 2 = 0.10). A multiple linear regression model indicated fat mass to be a strong predictor of PLOD2 production in the IFP ( r 2 = 0.22, P = 0.003). Conclusion Our study demonstrates the positive association between fat mass and PLOD2 expression in the IFP of obese end-stage knee OA patients. This may indicate that within this patient population the fibrotic process in the IFP is influenced by systemic adipose tissue, next to local inflammatory processes.

Source: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open

DOI: 10.1016/j.ocarto.2024.100469