Publication
Title
The infrapatellar fat pad should be considered as an active osteoarthritic joint tissue: a narrative review
Author
Abstract
Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee joint is caused by genetic and hormonal factors and by inflammation, in combination with biomechanical alterations. It is characterized by loss of articular cartilage, synovial inflammation and subchondral bone sclerosis. Considerable evidence indicates that the menisci, ligaments, periarticular muscles and the joint capsule are also involved in the OA process. This paper will outline the theoretical framework for investigating the infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) as an additional joint tissue involved in the development and progression of knee-OA. Methods: A literature search was performed in Pubmed from 1948 until October 2009 with keywords InFrapatellar fat pad, Hoffa fat pad, intraarticular adipose tissue, knee, cartilage, bone, cytokine, adipokine, inflammation, growth factor, arthritis, and OA. Results: The IPFP is situated intracapsularly and extrasynovially in the knee joint. Besides adipocytes, the IPFP from patients with knee-OA contains macrophages, lymphocytes and granulocytes, which are able to contribute to the disease process of knee-OA. Furthermore, the IPFP contains nociceptive nerve fibers that could in part be responsible for anterior pain in knee-OA. These nerve fibers secrete substance P, which is able to induce inflammatory responses and cause vasodilation, which may lead to IPFP edema and extravasation of the immune cells. The IPFP secretes cytokines, interleukins, growth factors and adipokines that influence cartilage by upregulating the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), stimulating the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and inhibiting the production of cartilage matrix proteins. They may also stimulate the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, growth factors and MMPs in synovium. Conclusion: These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the IPFP is an
Language
English
Source (journal)
Osteoarthritis and cartilage / Osteoarthritis Research Society. - London
Publication
London : 2010
ISSN
1063-4584
DOI
10.1016/J.JOCA.2010.03.014
Volume/pages
18 :7 (2010) , p. 876-882
ISI
000280283700002
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 08.10.2010
Last edited 23.08.2022
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