Immunohistologic analysis of zygapophyseal joints in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Arthritis Rheum. 2006 Sep;54(9):2845-51. doi: 10.1002/art.22060.

Abstract

Objective: Zygapophyseal joints of the spine are often affected in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). In this study, we undertook a systematic immunohistologic evaluation of the immunopathology of the zygapophyseal joints in patients with advanced AS.

Methods: We obtained zygapophyseal joints from 16 AS patients undergoing polysegmental correction of kyphosis and from 10 non-AS controls (at autopsy). Immunohistologic analysis of the bone marrow was performed by analyzing the number of infiltrating T cells (CD3, CD4, CD8), B cells (CD20), osteoclasts (CD68), bone marrow macrophages (CD68), and microvessel density (CD34) per high-power field.

Results: Zygapophyseal joints from 6 of 16 AS patients, but from none of the controls, exhibited 2 or more CD3+ T cell aggregates, signifying persistent inflammation. Interstitial CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were significantly more frequent in AS patients compared with non-AS controls (P = 0.002 and P = 0.049, respectively). While there was no clear difference between the number of CD20+ B cells in AS patients overall compared with controls, there was a significant difference when persistently inflamed joints from patients with AS were compared with joints without active inflammation from patients with AS or joints from controls (both P = 0.03). Microvessel density in bone marrow from AS patients with active inflammation was significantly higher than that in bone marrow from controls.

Conclusion: This immunohistologic study of bone marrow from zygapophyseal joints demonstrates persistent inflammation in the spine of patients with AS, including those with longstanding disease. The findings of increased numbers of T cells and B cells and neoangiogenesis suggest that these features play a role in the pathogenesis of AS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / analysis*
  • Arthrography
  • Autopsy
  • CD3 Complex / analysis
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods
  • Reference Values
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / diagnostic imaging
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / immunology*
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / pathology*
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / surgery
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Zygapophyseal Joint / immunology*
  • Zygapophyseal Joint / pathology*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • CD3 Complex