Expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand in synovial tissue: comparison with degradation of articular cartilage in temporomandibular joint disorders.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was performed to investigate the correlations between expression of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) in synovial tissue and the degrees of synovitis, degeneration of articular cartilage, and adhesions in patients with internal derangement (ID) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

STUDY

DESIGN

Expression of RANKL, detected immunohistochemically, and the severity of arthroscopic features (synovitis, degenerative changes of articular eminence, and adhesion) in 30 patients with ID of the TMJ were assessed and the correlations between them were analyzed statistically.

RESULTS

RANKL expression was detected in the cytoplasm of synovial lining cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblast cells. However, there were no correlations between RANKL expression in any cell type and the severity of arthroscopic features.

CONCLUSION

These observations indicated that the cellular source of osteoclastic differentiation exists in TMJ with ID and may provide insight into the mechanism of osteoclast differentiation.