Increased thymosin β4 levels in the serum and SF of knee osteoarthritis patients correlate with disease severity

Objective

Thymosin β4, a member of a large family of thymic proteins, plays an important role in the process of articular cartilage degeneration which is a common cause of osteoarthritis (OA). This study aims to determine thymosin β4 levels in the serum and synovial fluid (SF) of patients with knee OA and analyze the correlation of thymosin β4 levels with the radiographic severity of OA.

Methods

This study consisted of 216 patients with knee OA and 152 healthy controls. OA progression was classified based on Kellgren–Lawrence by evaluating x-ray changes observed in anteroposterior knee radiography. Thymosin β4 levels in the serum and SF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.

Results

The knee OA patients had higher levels of serum thymosin β4 than the healthy controls. Knee OA patients with KL grade 4 showed significantly elevated thymosin β4 levels in the serum and SF compared with those with KL grades 2 and 3. Knee OA patients with KL grade 3 had significantly higher SF levels of thymosin β4 than those with KL grade 2. Thymosin β4 levels in the serum and SF of knee OA patients were significantly correlated with disease severity according to KL grading criteria.

Conclusion

The thymosin β4 levels in the serum and SF may serve as effective biomarkers for the severity of OA.