Differential expression of COX-2 in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
In this study, we investigated the differential expression profiles of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA and proteins in osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients to elucidate the role of COX-2 expression in the pathogenesis and development of these diseases and to provide novel drug targets for treating arthritis. A total of 60 patients who received arthroscopic surgeries for treating OA (N = 30) or RA (N = 30) were examined. Fifteen normal synovial tissue samples were included as the control group.