Expression of thrombospondin-4 in the infrapatellar fat pad and synovial fluid – potential contribution to osteoarthritis pain
Authors' conclusion
TSP-4 has been detected in the IFP for the first time. The correlation between TSP-4 expression and fibrotic severity indicates a possible involvement of TSP-4 in the development of fibrosis.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with osteoarthritis (OA) undergoing total knee replacement surgery
- Outcome
- TSP-4 levels in IFP and synovial fluid correlated with IFP fibrosis and knee joint pain
Methodological detailsimmunohistochemistry, ELISA
- Immunohistochemistry
- ELISA
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
TSP-4 in IFP and synovial fluid vs fibrosis and pain
- TSP-4 detectable in human infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) tissue at protein level; expression positively correlated with degree of tissue fibrosis
- Four patient subgroups distinguished by degree of fibrosis and TSP-4-stained areas
- Moderate TSP-4 expression already detectable in samples with low degree of fibrosis
- No significant correlation between TSP-4 staining intensity in IFP and pain
- No correlation between TSP-4 staining intensity and synovial fluid TSP-4 concentrations
- Significant relationship between synovial fluid TSP-4 concentration and pain intensity only in female OA patients
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Expression of thrombospondin-4 in the infrapatellar fat pad and synovial fluid – potential contribution to osteoarthritis pain. Arthritis Res Ther. Published 26 August 2025. doi:10.
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