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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

[Ultrastructure of cultured cartilage, articular cartilage, growth plate and meniscus].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate possibility of cartilage cultured in centrifuge tube as graft materials. METHODS: Articular chondrocytes isolated from a 3-week-old rabbit formed cartilage after cultivation for 2 weeks. Articular cartilage of humeral head, growth plate of proximal tibia and meniscus were collected from a 6-week-old rabbit. The ultrastructure of chondrocytes and extracellular matrix in the three kinds of cartilages and cultured cartilage were observed by transmission electronic microscopy. RESULTS: Cartilage cultured in centrifuge tube possessed unique ultrastructure and was similar to articular cartilage and growth plate, but it was markedly different from meniscus. The four kinds of cartilages were characteristic of respectively different chondrocytes and extracellular matrix. Cultured cartilage showed typical apoptosis of chondrocytes and "dark chondrocytes" appeared in growth plate. Condrocyte apoptosis was not seen in articular cartilage and meniscus. CONCLUSION: Cartilage cultured in centrifuge tube has unique ultrastructure and may be used as graft materials for articular cartilage and growth plate.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Del1: a new protein in the superficial layer of articular cartilage.

Articular cartilage contains four distinct zones, extending from the surface to the subchondral bone. Freshly isolated chondrocytes from the superficial zone of articular cartilage retain a collagenase-P-resistant cell-associated matrix. In the studies described here, the protein Del1 was identified as a component of the cell-associated matrix of superficial zone chondrocytes from adult bovine articular cartilage. Very little Del1 was associated with freshly isolated deep zone chondrocytes. Western blot analysis of articular cartilage cell and tissue extracts using polyclonal antibodies specific for Del1 showed Del1 was present in an insoluble cell-associated fraction. Extracts of the superficial zone of articular cartilage were found to be enriched in Del1 compared to the deeper layers of the tissue. Immunohistochemical staining of full-thickness articular cartilage with anti-Del1 antibodies also showed an enrichment of Del1 in the superficial zone. These observations are the first to describe the protein Del1 in a nonendothelial, nonfetal tissue.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2005

[Value of collagen scaffolds in surgical reconstruction of articular cartilage].

Articular cartilage has a very limited capacity for regeneration and the untreated injuries of this tissue may lead to osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the application of collagen scaffolds in surgical reconstruction of articular cartilage. A group of 28 rabbits was used in the study. A defect penetrating into the subchondral bone was made. The animals were divided into 2 groups: group 1- defects filled with collagen scaffold, group II the defects remained empty. The results were evaluated at 4 a 12 weeks. Macroscopic and microscopic evaluation was performed. On gross examination of the group I complete filling of the defect with regenerated tissue was observed. This tissue had smooth surface and was completely integrated with the surrounding cartilage. In the group II the surface of the newly formed tissue showed large irregularities. The defect was partially filled and incompletely integrated with the residual cartilage. Microscopic results indicate presence of hyaline-like cartilage resembling normal articular cartilage in group I. Regenerate was more stable and remained stable with longer follow-up. Group II revealed mostly fibrous tissue in regenerate. Thickness was inadequate with visible surface irregularities and loss in tissue integrity. This study proved better results of reconstruction of articular cartilage by means of biodegradable scaffold.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

A transversely isotropic, transversely homogeneous microstructural-statistical model of articular cartilage.

Articular cartilage is a multi-phasic, composite, fibre-reinforced material. Therefore, its mechanical properties are determined by the tissue microstructure. The presence of cells (chondrocytes) and collagen fibres within the proteoglycan matrix influences, at a local and a global level, the material symmetries. The volumetric concentration and shape of chondrocytes, and the volumetric concentration and spatial arrangement of collagen fibres have been observed to change as a function of depth in articular cartilage. In particular, collagen fibres are perpendicular to the bone-cartilage interface in the deep zone, their orientation is almost random in the middle zone, and they are parallel to the surface in the superficial zone. The aim of this work is to develop a model of elastic properties of articular cartilage based on its microstructure. In previous work, we addressed this problem based on Piola's notation for fourth-order tensors. Here, mathematical tools initially developed for transversely isotropic composite materials comprised of a statistical orientation of spheroidal inclusions are extended to articular cartilage, while taking into account the dependence of the elastic properties on cartilage depth. The resulting model is transversely isotropic and transversely homogeneous (TITH), the transverse plane being parallel to the bone-cartilage interface and the articular surface. Our results demonstrate that the axial elastic modulus decreases from the deep zone to the articular surface, a result that is in good agreement with experimental findings. Finite element simulations were carried out, in order to explore the TITH model's behaviour in articular cartilage compression tests. The force response, fluid flow and displacement fields obtained with the TITH model were compared with the classical linear elastic, isotropic, homogeneous (IH) model, showing that the IH model is unable to predict the non-uniform behaviour of the tissue. Based on considerations that the mechanical stability of the tissue depends on its topological and microstructural properties, our long-term goal is to clearly understand the stability conditions in topological terms, and the relationship with the growth and remodelling mechanisms in the healthy and diseased tissue.

Cartilage, Articular↗
PubMed2000

A viscoelastic analysis of the tensile weakening of deep femoral head articular cartilage.

Articular cartilage from below the surface of the femoral head of the hip joint shows a profound age-dependent weakening in its tensile mechanical properties. This ageing is also associated with a reduced viscoelastic response in the older tissue. A constitutive model of the viscoelastic behaviour of deep articular cartilage (as discussed by Egan in 1988) is used to generate a graphical pattern which represents the mechanical behaviour. This constitutive approach suggests that the tensile weakening of the older cartilage is due to an age-related reduction in the recruitment of load-carrying structures as the tissue is deformed. The viscoelastic constitutive model also predicts a reduction in the tensile strength of deep articular cartilage with rate of deformation. This prediction is supported by experimental fracture stress data. A weakening of the tensile integrity of the microstructure of articular cartilage could make the tissue less able to sustain normal compressive physiological loading without damage and thus make the tissue more susceptible to osteoarthritic degeneration. The constitutive approach indicates that the weakening of the older tissue may be related to changes within the microstructure which determine how applied mechanical energy is stored and dissipated.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1991

The collagens of articular cartilage.

Articular cartilage contains at least five genetically distinct types of collagen. Types II, IX, and XI are cartilage-specific and are cross-linked together in a copolymeric network that forms the extracellular framework of the tissue. Fibrils of type II collagen provide the basic architecture. Type XI, a quantitatively minor fibril-forming collagen, is probably copolymerized with type II collagen in the matrix. Type IX collagen accounts for approximately 1% of the collagenous protein in adult articular cartilage and its molecules exist in the tissue covalently linked to the surface of type II collagen fibrils. Its suspected functions include regulating fibril diameters and mediating fibril-fibril and fibril-proteoglycan interactions. Stromelysin, a matrix metalloproteinase, was recently shown to degrade type IX collagen. This action may cause the collagen network swelling seen in articular cartilage in early experimental osteoarthritis, (OA). Collagen type X is restricted to the underlying calcified zone of articular cartilage, a zone that exhibits active remodeling in joints with OA. Degradation products of the various cartilage collagens show promise as molecular markers of joint disease.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2004

BMP receptor signaling is required for postnatal maintenance of articular cartilage.

Articular cartilage plays an essential role in health and mobility, but is frequently damaged or lost in millions of people that develop arthritis. The molecular mechanisms that create and maintain this thin layer of cartilage that covers the surface of bones in joint regions are poorly understood, in part because tools to manipulate gene expression specifically in this tissue have not been available. Here we use regulatory information from the mouse Gdf5 gene (a bone morphogenetic protein [BMP] family member) to develop new mouse lines that can be used to either activate or inactivate genes specifically in developing joints. Expression of Cre recombinase from Gdf5 bacterial artificial chromosome clones leads to specific activation or inactivation of floxed target genes in developing joints, including early joint interzones, adult articular cartilage, and the joint capsule. We have used this system to test the role of BMP receptor signaling in joint development. Mice with null mutations in Bmpr1a are known to die early in embryogenesis with multiple defects. However, combining a floxed Bmpr1a allele with the Gdf5-Cre driver bypasses this embryonic lethality, and leads to birth and postnatal development of mice missing the Bmpr1a gene in articular regions. Most joints in the body form normally in the absence of Bmpr1a receptor function. However, articular cartilage within the joints gradually wears away in receptor-deficient mice after birth in a process resembling human osteoarthritis. Gdf5-Cre mice provide a general system that can be used to test the role of genes in articular regions. BMP receptor signaling is required not only for early development and creation of multiple tissues, but also for ongoing maintenance of articular cartilage after birth. Genetic variation in the strength of BMP receptor signaling may be an important risk factor in human osteoarthritis, and treatments that mimic or augment BMP receptor signaling should be investigated as a possible therapeutic strategy for maintaining the health of joint linings.

Alleles↗
PubMed2005

The role of computational models in the search for the mechanical behavior and damage mechanisms of articular cartilage.

Articular cartilage plays a vital role in the function of diarthrodial joints. Due to osteoarthritis degeneration of articular cartilage occurs. The initial event that triggers the pathological process of cartilage degeneration is still unknown. Cartilage damage due to osteoarthritis is believed to be mechanically induced. Hence, to investigate the initiation of osteoarthritis the stresses and strains in the cartilage must be determined. So far the most common method to accomplish that is finite element analysis. This paper provides an overview of computational descriptions developed for this purpose, and what they can be used for. Articular cartilage composition and structure are discussed in relation with degenerative changes, and how these affect mechanical properties.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Establishment of a reliable method for direct proteome characterization of human articular cartilage.

Articular cartilage consists mainly of extracellular matrix, mostly made of collagens and proteoglycans. These macromolecules have so far impaired the detailed two-dimensional electrophoresis-based proteomic analysis of articular cartilage. Here we describe a method for selective protein extraction from cartilage, which excludes proteoglycans and collagen species, thus allowing direct profiling of the protein content of cartilage by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Consistent electrophoretic patterns of more than 600 protein states were reproducibly obtained after silver staining from 500 mg of human articular cartilage from joints with diverse pathologies. The extraction yield increased when the method was applied to a chondrosarcoma sample, consistent with selective extraction of cellular components. Nearly 200 of the most intensely stained protein spots were analyzed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry after trypsin digestion. They represented 127 different proteins with diverse functions. Our method provides a rapid, efficient, and pertinent alternative to previously proposed approaches for proteomic characterization of cartilage phenotypes. It will be useful for detecting protein expression patterns that relate pathophysiological processes of cartilaginous tissues such as osteoarthritis and chondrosarcoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Comparison of matrix vesicles derived from normal and osteoarthritic human articular cartilage.

Articular cartilage matrix vesicles (MVs) from normal human adult articular cartilage were examined for protein and enzyme content and biomineralizing capacity for comparison to MVs derived from human osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage. Femoral condylar and tibial plateau cartilage from each of 9 healthy donors ages 17-37 y was enzymatically digested and serially ultracentrifuged to pellet MV's at 3 x 10(6) g-min. MV protein content, nucleoside triphosphate pyrophospho hydrolase (NTPPPH) specific activity (SA) and capacity for 45Ca precipitation were determined. MV precipitated mineral was examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Normal human cartilage yields 50% less MV protein/g cartilage than OA cartilage (p < .01). Normal human articular MVs possess 30-70x higher NTPPPH SA than cell-free digest. Mean NTPPPH SAs of MVs derived from normal human cartilage are 3x higher than that of OA MVs (p < .05) and normal MV NTPPPH SA appears to decrease with age (p < .01). Normal human MVs support significantly higher calcium precipitation/mg MV protein in both ATP-dependent (p < .01) and -independent (p = .05) systems. The FTIR spectrum of MV mineral generated in the presence of ATP strongly resembles the standard spectrum for calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD). The FTIR spectrum of MV mineral generated without ATP resembles that of carbonate-substituted apatite (AP). The fact that isolated MVs from normal cartilage generate pathologically relevant crystal phases in vitro implies that matrix integrity and substrate availability may be crucial factors in the control of pathologic biomineralization.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

The association of lipid abnormalities with tissue pathology in human osteoarthritic articular cartilage.

Articular cartilage is one of very few body tissues uniquely characterized as having substantial stores of lipid deposits. Lipid droplets are naturally accumulated by chondrocytes and individual fatty acids have been shown to have protective as well as deleterious effects on cartilage degradation in animal models of degenerative joint disease. As a means to better assess the role of lipids in human joint pathology, a comparative analysis of fatty acids was undertaken in small segments of osteoarthritic articular cartilage. The data were assessed in terms of chondrocyte synthetic activity and histological determination of disease severity. The distribution profile of individual fatty acids in normal and osteoarthritic specimens remained constant, with palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids representing 85% of the total fatty acids. In contrast, levels of total fatty acids were markedly increased in association with increasing degree of lesion severity. Compared with tissue from normal-aged joints, grade 0 to 1 mild lesions had elevated levels of total fatty acids, essential fatty acids, and chondrocyte synthetic activity of 80%, 312%, and 393%, respectively. More severe tissue involvement (grade 6 to 9), was associated with even greater increases of 440%, 1,100%, and 1,150%, respectively. No change was noted in cholesterol content in any tissue. The accumulation of arachidonic acid was greater than the proportional increase in total fatty acid content and was primarily distributed into the neutral lipid fraction, where it constituted almost 62% of the fatty acid level in tissues of moderate lesion severity. There was an association of lipid accumulation in general and arachidonic acid in particular with histological severity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Anatomy, biochemistry, and physiology of articular cartilage.

Articular cartilage serves as a load-bearing elastic material that is responsible for the frictionless movement of the surfaces of articulating joints. Its ability to undergo reversible deformation depends on its structural organization, including the specific arrangement of the matrix macromolecules and the chondrocytes. Interactions between the matrix and chondrocytes are responsible for the biological and mechanical properties of articular cartilage and enable it to respond by effecting a balance between anabolism and catabolism as well as continual internal remodeling. Age-related changes in the function of chondrocytes may contribute to the initiation and progression of osteoarthritis.

Aging↗
PubMed1983

Type II collagen-induced arthritis. A morphologic and biochemical study of articular cartilage.

Articular cartilage was obtained from type II collagen-induced arthritic rat joints. Transmission electron microscopy showed a gradual degeneration of chondrocytes, disorganization of the collagenous extracellular matrix, and formation of microscars. Biochemical analyses indicated that type II collagen was the only collagen present and that it was normal in regard to hydroxylation of lysine and glycosylation of hydroxylysine. Analyses of the proteoglycan in the extracellular matrix revealed a 50% loss of chondroitin sulfate and keratan sulfate.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Enzymic heterogeneity of normal canine articular cartilage.

Articular cartilage is generally considered to be an homogeneous tissue. It has now been shown that, although different regions of the medial tibial cartilage of the dog have very similar oxidative enzymic activities, each region is heterogeneous with respect to these activities. The conventional histological delineation of this cartilage has been modified, to take into account a narrow band (designated zone 2a), just below the most superficial spindle-shaped cells, that has higher oxidative enzymic activity than any other. Changes in the activity in this zone might be diluted by the lack of change in other zones if measured by conventional biochemical procedures which could not measure the activities of the different zones separately.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1997

Nitric oxide and proteoglycan turnover in rabbit articular cartilage.

Articular chondrocytes are known to synthesize large amounts of nitric oxide in response to exposure to interleukin-1, but the role of this radical in proteoglycan turnover remains controversial. In this study, we used two different inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase, NG-methyl-L-arginine and thiocitrulline, to study the effects of nitric oxide on the synthesis and breakdown of proteoglycan in rabbit articular cartilage. Synthesis of nitric oxide by cartilage slices in response to treatment with interleukin-1 and a partially purified mixture of synovial cytokines known as chondrocyte-activating factors peaked during the first 2 days of culture and then fell to low levels, despite daily replenishment with fresh medium and cytokines to the cultures. The production of nitric oxide was completely inhibited by NG-methyl-L-arginine and thiocitrulline. Interleukin-1 and the chondrocyte-activating factors inhibited proteoglycan synthesis and accelerated proteoglycan breakdown in the slices of cartilage. Both nitric oxide synthase inhibitors substantially counteracted the suppression of proteoglycan synthesis but exacerbated proteoglycan catabolism occurring in response to interleukin-1 and the chondrocyte-activating factors. The accelerated catabolism was associated with increased levels of matrix metalloproteinases in the conditioned medium. This dual effect of nitric oxide complicates decision making with regard to the possible clinical applications of nitric oxide agonists or antagonists in diseases of cartilage.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Deposition of amyloid of unknown origin in articular cartilage.

Articular cartilage, obtained from the large toe during hallux valgus operations in 37 patients, was investigated for the presence of amyloid by using the Congo red staining method. Amyloid deposits were demonstrated, particularly in the superficial layer of the cartilage, in 30 cases. This amyloid did not react immunohistochemically with any of the antibodies against the known five major amyloid types (AA, A lambda, A kappa, AF, AB). From these data it is concluded that hyaline cartilage in older individuals is prone to infiltration by an amyloid of a hitherto unidentified class. From the morphological observations there seems to be no correlation between amyloid deposits and the development of osteoarthrosis.

Aging↗
PubMed1998

An investigation of biphasic failure criteria for impact-induced fissuring of articular cartilage.

Articular cartilage consists of both solid and fluid phases with fissures observed on the surface occurring in the solid portion. In order to determine which of the solid phase stresses provides the best predictor for the initiation of a fissure, elastic stresses from a series of in vitro impact experiments were used to derive stresses in the solid phase of the cartilage. This stress information was then analyzed using a logistic regression to identify the best predictor of fissuring. The mechanical analysis indicated that low-magnitude tensile solid hoop stress develops in the solid phase within the contact zone in impacts involving the two smaller radius interfaces. The logistic regression, however, indicated that maximum shear stress in the solid (which is equal to the shear stress from the elastic analysis) was the best predictor of the occurrence of a fissure. This study helps support the suggestion that in stress fields dominated by compression, the maximum shear stress from an elastic analysis may be used to predict fissure initiation in cartilage.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Influence of cyclic loading on the nutrition of articular cartilage.

Articular cartilage is avascular. Nutrients are transported to the cells mainly by diffusion from the synovial fluid. Nutrient transport is also sometimes thought to be assisted by movement of fluid in and out of cartilage in response to cyclic loading of the tissue ('pumping'). The influence of pumping on transport of solutes through cartilage was measured by subjecting plugs of human femoral head cartilage immersed in medium containing radioactive solutes to a simulated walking cycle of 2.8 MPa at 1 Hz. The rate of absorption or desorption of tracers from the cycled plugs was compared with that of unloaded control plugs. For small solutes (urea, NaI) fluid transport did not affect the rate of solute transport significantly. Most major nutrients, such as glucose and oxygen, are small solutes and thus nutrition should not be affected by pumping. The rate of desorption of a large solute (serum albumin), however, was increased by 30-100% in plugs subjected to cyclic loading.

Biological Transport↗