Lymphocyte Populations in Joint Tissues from Dogs with Inflammatory Stifle Arthritis and Associated Degenerative Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture

Abstract

Lymphocytic inflammation of stifle synovium and synovial fluid is an important feature of the CCLR arthropathy. Lymphocyte populations include T lymphocytes expressing CD4 and CD8, and CD3(+) CD4(-) CD8(-) T lymphocytes. Presence of CD3(+) CD4(-) CD8(-) T lymphocytes was associated with development of stifle synovitis. Further work is needed to fully identify the phenotype of these cells.