Synoviocytes and synovial membrane

Markers of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS)
Dedifferentiation of FLS in culture?
Association between OCD score and synovial parameters
Synovial folds in cervical facet joints

Characterization of the equine synovial membrane

Aim: To identify and characterize molecular markers in equine synoviocytes.

Short description: The synovial membrane, a cellular lining on the luminal side of the fibrous joint capsule of synovial joints, consists of two types of cells, the macrophage-like synoviocytes and the fibroblast-like synoviocytes.

The purpose of this study is to find and characterize molecular markers of the fibroblast-like synoviocytes and possibly also the macrophage-like synoviocytes. This is done using a microarray platform to compare the synovial membrane with the joint capsule.

Joint tissue is harvested from fetlock joints from newly euthanized horses, the tissue is then separated into synovial membrane and joint capsule, and RNA extraction is performed. After amplification and labelling, a microarray analysis is performed. The microarray preparation procedures and the microarray was performed in collaboration with ARK Genomics at The Roslin Institute, Edinburgh, Scotland.

The molecular markers found in the microarray analysis will be validated by qRT-PCR, fluorescent in situ hybridisation, and immunohistochemistry. The results of this study are expected by December 2014. The results will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal and a link provided from this website.

Main investigator: Line N. Thomsen
Collaborators: Lise C. Berg, Preben D. Thomsen, Richard Talbot and Alison Downing

Funding: This project is partly funded by 'Hesteafgiftsfonden', Videnscentret for Landbrug, Heste: http://www.hesteafgiftsfonden.dk and by 'Torben and Alice Frimodts fond'

Markers of cultured fibroblast-like synoviocytes

Aim: To investigate the stability of the phenotype of fibroblast-like synoviocytes, when culturing the cells at different passages.

Short description: Fibroblast-like synoviocytes are harvested from equine fetlock joints. The tissue is enzymatically treated, the cells released and subsequently grown in culture for ten passages. At all stages the cells are tested for the fibroblast phenotype by staining procedures and qRT-PCR. Furthermore, fibroblast-like synoviocyte markers identified in the microarray study will be tested at all passages.

Main investigator: Line N. Thomsen
Collaborators: Lise C. Berg, Preben D. Thomsen

Association between OCD score and synovial parameters

Aim: To study correlation between OCD scoring systems, synovial membrane histology and mRNA expression, and synovial biomarkers

Project student: Mette Holmer, DVM student
Main supervisor: Lise C. Berg
Co-supervisor: Jon Vedding Nielsen, Ansager Equine Hospital

Synovial folds in the equine cervical facet joints

Aim: To investigate the size and histology of synovial folds in equine cervical facet joints and the possible presence of nerve fibers in these folds.

Short description: In this study synovial folds in equine cervical facet joints are investigated. The synovial folds are measured in situ, and then fixed in paraformaldehyde. The folds are stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin to describe their histologic appearance. Immunohistochemistry is used to study the possible presence of nociceptive nervous fibers in the folds, by using monoclonal antibodies against beta-III-tubulin, Substance P and Calcitonin gene related peptide.