Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Study in The Anterior and Posterior Cruciate Ligament of The Knee With Rheumatoid Arthritis in Iraqi Patients

Abstract

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term inflammatory condition that causes significant joint alterations, including bone erosion and cartilage destruction. Synovial joint destruction is characterized by joint pain, stiffness, and edema, which causes substantial disability and early death. The histological and immunohistochemical alterations in the knees of patients with rheumatoid arthritis are the main focus of this investigation.

Methods: Methods: Tissue samples of the ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) and PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament) from 50 knees of RA patients (19 females and 31 males) undergoing total knee replacement were preserved in 10% formalin for histological and immunohistochemical studies.

Results: The histopathological analysis of knee tissue with RA (ACL and PCL) shows many histopathological changes, such as congestion of blood vessels, fibrin deposition, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. An immunohistochemical study shows increased CD16 and CD68 expression in ACL compared to PCL in RA patients. This increase is explained by ACL inflammation and vascular changes associated with RA.

Conclusion: The knee ligaments of RA patients showed severe activity of NTD enzyme in ACL, while the PCL demonstrated moderate activity of NTD enzyme.