RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Effects of pulse methylprednisolone on macrophage chemotactic protein-1 and macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha in rheumatoid synovium.
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP 2634
OP 2636
VO 28
IS 12
A1 Wong, P K
A1 Cuello, C
A1 Bertouch, J V
A1 Roberts-Thomson, P J
A1 Ahern, M J
A1 Smith, M D
A1 Youssef, P P
YR 2001
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/28/12/2634.abstract
AB OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of pulse methyprednisolone (PMP; 1000 mg) on the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha in rheumatoid synovial membrane. METHODS: Seven patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were studied. Arthroscopically-directed synovial biopsies were taken before and 24 hours after treatment with intravenous PMP. Synovial membranes were stained by immunohistochemical techniques with monoclonal antibodies against MCP-1, MIP-1alpha and CD68 (a macrophage marker). Quantitation of staining was performed by computer-assisted color video image analysis. RESULTS: PMP therapy was associated with a rapid (within 24 hours) and substantial decrease in the expression of MCP-1 and MIP-1alpha expression by a mean of 55% (p = 0.05) and 45% (p = 0.03), respectively, with no effect on CD68 expression in the synovial lining layer. There was no significant change in MCP-1, MIP-1alpha or CD68 expression in the synovial sublining. CONCLUSION: PMP therapy rapidly reduces MCP-1 and MIP-1alpha levels in the synovial lining layer without a fall in macrophage numbers. It thus appears that the initial effect of PMP is that of reducing macrophage activation.