Analyses of differentially expressed proteins of human synovial fibroblasts obtained from osteoarthritis

Objective To understand the possible roles of some proteins expressed by human synovial fibroblasts in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis by means of 2-DE and bioinformatics.Methods The difference of synovial fibroblasts protein expression between osteoarthritis patients and healthy controls was analyzed by 2-DE.The differential expression spots were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF-MS),followed by bioinformatics analysis.Results Gel-image analysis revealed that there were 36 differential protein spots.A total of 15 differential protein spots were identified by MALDI-TOF-MS,of which 6 spots were much more intensive in osteoarthritis patients than normal ones.Conclusion These differential proteins based on bioinformatics analysis might be involved in synovitis in osteoarthritis patients.