Transcriptomic responses of synovial and peripheral blood mononuclear cells in horses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common disease affecting equine joints, and represents an important source of pain, reduced athleticism, and economic loss. Earlier detection of OA processes in terms of structural and biochemical alterations to the synovial environment could allow development of biomarker tests to detect disease and implementation of treatment regimens prior to potentially irreversible joint destruction. Overall design: Synovial fluid cells and PBMC were isolated from healthy horses or those with degenerative joint disease. Horses were determined to be healthy or to have OA via lameness evaluation, radiographs, and response to diagnostic analgesia of the affected joint in OA. Horses were excluded who had received medications or joint injections within the last two months. RNA sequencing of cells was performed using an Illumina based platform. Cytokine analyses of synovial fluid and plasma were performed via multiplex immunoassay (23 cytokines) and correlated to transcriptomic findings