The transmembrane heparan sulphate proteoglycan syndecan-4 is involved in establishment of the lamellar structure of the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc.

The annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc unites adjacent vertebral bodies along the length of the spine and provides tensile resistance towards compressive, twisting and bending movements arising through gait. It consists of a nested series of oriented collagenous lamellae, arranged in cross-ply circumferentially around the nucleus pulposus. The organisation of oriented collagen in the annulus is established during foetal development by an identical arrangement of oriented fibroblasts that are precisely organised into cell sheets, or laminae. These provide a template for ordered deposition of extracellular matrix material on cell surfaces, by means of a poorly understood mechanism involving the actin cytoskeleton. In this study, we investigate the role of two cell surface heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPGs), glypican-6 and syndecan-4, in the matrix assembly process in the developmental rat intervertebral disc. We compare their expression patterns with those of heparan sulphate and the interactive, cell-surface adhesive glycoprotein, fibronectin, and relate these to the stage-specific collagenous architectures present within the annulus at both light and electron microscopic levels. We show that both proteoglycans are strongly associated with the development, growth and aging of the intervertebral disc. Furthermore, the immunohistochemical labelling patterns suggest that syndecan-4, in particular, plays a potentially-significant role in annulus formation. We propose that this HSPG mediates interaction between the actin cytoskeleton and nascent extracellular matrix in the lamellar organisation of annulus tissue. These data add considerably towards an understanding of how cells organise and maintain complex, oriented extracellular matrices and has particular clinical relevance to the fields of tissue engineering and repair.

ADAMTS-4 activity in synovial fluid as a biomarker of inflammation and effusion.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential of ADAMTS-4 (aggrecanase -1) activity in synovial fluid (SF) as a biomarker of knee injury and joint disease. DESIGN: We have measured ADAMTS-4 activity in the synovial fluid of 170 orthopaedic patients with different degrees of joint pathology, using a commercial ADAMTS-4 fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) substrate assay. Patients were classified at arthroscopy as (i) macroscopically normal, (ii) with an injury of the meniscus, anterior cruciate ligament or chondral/osteochondral defects or (iii) with osteoarthritis, and the influence of independent factors (age, patient group, effusion and synovial inflammation) on ADAMTS-4 activity levels was assessed. RESULTS: In most patients (106/170) ADAMTS-4 activity was undetectable; ADAMTS-4 ranged from 0 to 2.8 ng/mL in synovial fluid from patients with an injury, 0-4.1 ng/mL in osteoarthritic patients and 4.0-12.3 ng/mL in patients with large effusions. Four independent variables each significantly influenced ADAMTS-4 activity in synovial fluid (all P < 0.001): age (concordance = 0.69), presence of osteoarthritis (OA) (concordance = 0.66), level of effusion (concordance = 0.78) and inflammation (concordance = 0.68). Not only did effusion influence the amount of ADAMTS-4 activity most strongly, but it also did this in an ordered manner (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The main finding of this study is that ADAMTS-4 levels in synovial fluid are most strongly correlated with inflammation and severity of effusion in the knee. Further study is required to determine if it could provide a useful tool to aid clinical diagnoses, indicate treatment, to monitor progression of joint degeneration or OA or alternatively the success of treatment.

Aggrecan and chondroitin-6-sulfate abnormalities in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: a postmortem study on the amygdala.

Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are specialized extracellular matrix aggregates surrounding distinct neuronal populations and regulating synaptic functions and plasticity. Previous findings showed robust PNN decreases in amygdala, entorhinal cortex and prefrontal cortex of subjects with schizophrenia (SZ), but not bipolar disorder (BD). These studies were carried out using a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) lectin marker. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the CSPG aggrecan, and 6-sulfated chondroitin sulfate (CS-6) chains highly represented in aggrecan, may contribute to these abnormalities. Antibodies against aggrecan and CS-6 (3B3 and CS56) were used in the amygdala of healthy control, SZ and BD subjects. In controls, aggrecan immunoreactivity (IR) was observed in PNNs and glial cells. Antibody 3B3, but not CS56, also labeled PNNs in the amygdala. In addition, dense clusters of CS56 and 3B3 IR encompassed CS56- and 3B3-IR glia, respectively. In SZ, numbers of aggrecan- and 3B3-IR PNNs were decreased, together with marked reductions of aggrecan-IR glial cells and CS-6 (3B3 and CS56)-IR 'clusters'. In BD, numbers of 3B3-IR PNNs and CS56-IR clusters were reduced. Our findings show disruption of multiple PNN populations in the amygdala of SZ and, more modestly, BD. Decreases of aggrecan-IR glia and CS-6-IR glial 'clusters', in sharp contrast to increases of CSPG/lectin-positive glia previously observed, indicate that CSPG abnormalities may affect distinct glial cell populations and suggest a potential mechanism for PNN decreases. Together, these abnormalities may contribute to a destabilization of synaptic connectivity and regulation of neuronal functions in the amygdala of subjects with major psychoses.

Radiographic features of hand osteoarthritis in adult Kashin-Beck Disease (KBD): the Yongshou KBD study.

OBJECTIVE: Kashin-Beck Disease (KBD) is a rare and severe osteoarthropathy endemic to China. We evaluated the frequency and patterns of hand radiographic osteoarthritis (rOA) in adults with and without KBD. METHODS: Han Chinese (N = 438) from Yongshou County of central China underwent right hand radiography for determining case status. Presence of KBD was based on characteristic radiographic deformities of articular ends of bones including articular surface depression, carpal crowding, any subchondral bone deformities in the proximal end of phalanges or first metacarpal bone, or the distal ends of metacarpal bones 2-5, and any bony enlargement with deformity of the distal ends of phalanges. Hand rOA severity was determined by osteophyte (OST), joint space narrowing (JSN), and Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) grades. RESULTS: This study included 127 KBD and 311 non-KBD adults of similar mean age (39 years) and body mass index (BMI) (21 kg/m(2)). Inter- and intra-rater reliability for radiographic determination of case status and rOA features was high (kappa 0.72-0.96). Compared to non-KBD, KBD adults had significantly more severe hand rOA of the thumb, distal interphalangeal (DIP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints. Only KBD adults had end-stage carpometacapal (CMC) disease. In KBD, DIPs and PIPs were more affected than MCPs and the frequency of OSTs was significantly higher in PIPs than DIPs. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with age-matched adults from the same area and farming occupation, KBD hand rOA was more widespread and severe, particularly of PIPs and CMCs. The ability to differentiate adult KBD from non-KBD hand rOA will facilitate genetic analyses of the vast majority of affected individuals.

Changes in the metabolism of chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycans in articular cartilage from patients with Kashin-Beck disease.

OBJECTIVES: To identify changes in the expression patterns of enzymes involved in chondroitin sulfate (CS) glycosaminoglycan (GAG) metabolism in articular cartilage proteoglycan (PG) isolated from adolescent patients with Kashin-Beck disease (KBD). METHODS: Samples of articular cartilage were divided into two groups: Control samples (from five normal children), and KBD samples (from five KBD children) aged 3-12 years old. The morphology and pathology of hand joint cartilage were examined by histochemical staining. The localization and expression patterns of enzymes involved in CS GAG metabolism (i.e., PAPS synthetase 2 (PAPSS2), PAPS transporter 1 (PAPST1), Carbohydrate (N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfate 6-O) sulfotransferases 15 (CHST15), Arylsulfatase B (ARSB) and N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase (GALNS)) were performed using immuno-histochemical analyses. Positive immunostaining in articular cartilage was semi-quantified. RESULTS: Reduced aggrecan staining was observed in KBD samples compared with the control samples. The percentages of positive staining for the anabolic enzymes PAPSS2, PAPST1 and CHST15 in the upper and middle zones of KBD samples were significantly lower than that found in the Controls. In contrast, the percentages of positive staining in KBD samples for the catabolic enzymes ARSB and GALNS were significantly higher than the control samples. However, the staining for all of these GAG metabolism enzymes were hardly observed in the deep zones of KBD cartilage, suggesting that significant cell death and necrosis had occurred in this region. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that alterations of enzymes involved in articular cartilage CS GAG metabolism on PGs in the articular cartilage play an important role in the onset and pathogenesis of KBD in adolescent children.

Collagen fibrillogenesis in the development of the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc.

The annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc is a complex, radial-ply connective tissue consisting of concentric lamellae of oriented collagen. Whilst much is known of the structure of the mature annulus, less is known of how its complex collagenous architecture becomes established; an understanding of which could inform future repair/regenerative strategies. Here, using a rat disc developmental series, we describe events in the establishment of the collagenous framework of the annulus at light and electron microscopic levels and examine the involvement of class I and II small leucine rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) in the matrix assembly process. We show that a period of sustained, ordered matrix deposition follows the initial cellular differentiation/orientation phase within the foetal disc. Fibrillar matrix is deposited from recesses within the plasma membrane into compartments of interstitial space within the outer annulus - the orientation of the secreted collagen reflecting the initial cellular orientation of the laminae. Medially, we demonstrate the development of a reinforcing 'cage' of collagen fibre bundles around the foetal nucleus pulpous. This derives from the fusion of collagen bundles between presumptive end-plate and inner annulus. By birth, the distinct collagenous architectures are established and the disc undergoes considerable enlargement to maturity. We show that fibromodulin plays a prominent role in foetal development of the annulus and its attachment to vertebral bodies. With the exception of keratocan, the other SLRPs appear associated more with cartilage development within the vertebral column, but all become more prominent within the disc during its growth and differentiation.

Chondroitin sulphate sulphation motif expression in the ontogeny of the intervertebral disc.

Chondroitin sulphate chains on cell and extracellular matrix proteoglycans play important regulatory roles in developing systems. Specific, developmentally regulated, sulphation motifs within the chondroitin glycosaminoglycan structure may help bind, sequester or present bioactive signalling molecules to cells thus modulating their behaviour. Using monoclonal antibodies 3B3(-), 4C3, 6C3 and 7D4, we have mapped the distribution of different chondroitin sulphation epitopes in a rat intervertebral disc developmental series. The sulphation epitopes had complex, dynamic and specific distributions in the disc and vertebral tissues during their differentiation, growth and ageing. At embryonic day [E]15, prior to disc differentiation, 4C3 and 7D4 occurred within the cellular disc condensations whilst 6C3 was present in the notochordal sheath. At E17, post disc differentiation, 4C3 and 7D4 occurred within the nucleus pulposus, inner annulus and vertebral bodies; 3B3(-) in the nucleus, inner annulus, annulus/vertebral body interface and perichondrium; and 6C3, ventrally, within the perichondrium. At E19, 3B3(-), 4C3 and 7D4 became further restricted to the nucleus, inner annulus, annulus/vertebral body interface and perichondrium. Prior to birth, all four epitopes occurred within the inner annulus and nucleus, with 6C3 and 7D4 also occurring within the future end-plate. Postnatal expression of the sulphation epitopes was more widespread in the disc and also within the growth plate. At 4 months, the epitopes were associated with chondrocyte clusters within the nucleus; and at 24 months, with annular lesions. Overall, our data suggests that differential sulphation of chondroitin correlates with significant events in development, growth and aging of the rat intervertebral disc.

Role of keratan sulphate (sulphated poly -N-acetyllactosamine repeats) in keratoconic cornea, histochemical, and ultrastructural analysis.

AIMS: Keratan sulphate (KS) is the predominant glycosaminoglycan (GAG) present in the corneal stroma where it is thought to regulate collagen fibril diameter. In this study we investigated the distribution of KS in normal and keratoconic corneas. METHODS: Four normal, one mild, and four severe keratoconic corneas were used for the study. Distribution of keratan sulphate proteoglycans (KS-PG) was investigated using a primary monoclonal antibody (5-D-4) that recognizes disulphated disaccharides in the poly-N-acetyllactosamine repeats of KS. The immuno-reactivity of 5-D-4 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and immuno-electron microscopy. RESULTS: Immuno-histochemistry showed diffuse 5-D-4 staining in keratoconic cornea compared to the punctuate staining in normal corneas. In the single cornea with mild keratoconus, immunogold microscopy revealed a very high density of KS-PG staining, especially in the posterior stroma, compared to severe keratoconic and normal cornea. The amount of KS-PG in the stroma in severe keratoconus was slightly less compared to the normal cornea. In the mild keratoconic cornea, a higher quantity of KS-PG was present around the keratocytes. In severe keratoconic corneas, a higher quantity of KS-PG was present within the keratocytes compared to normal cornea. CONCLUSIONS: The finding of an altered expression of KS in our keratoconic corneas, in particular the strong expression of KS in keratocytes, is in keeping with reports of an altered expression of proteoglycan metabolism in keratoconus. KS-PG plays an important role in stromal collagen fibril assembly and a dysregulation of KS-PG synthesis or catabolism could explain changes in collagen fibril spacing and diameter, which we have reported elsewhere.

Dietary fatty acids and arthritis.

Musculoskeletal complaints are the second most frequent reason for medical treatments. Within these diseases rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and, especially, osteoarthritis (OA) are common. Although the causes of arthritis are multifactorial and not fully understood, clinical trials have generally shown benefit from dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. This has usually been attributed to their anti-inflammatory properties. Recently we have used in vitro model systems to study the molecular mechanism(s) by which n-3 PUFAs may act to alleviate the symptoms of arthritis. These experiments showed that n-3 PUFAs reduce expression of cartilage-degrading proteinases, cyclooxygenase-2 and inflammatory cytokines. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was more effective than docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or alpha-linolenic acid. The data provide a scientific rationale for the consumption of n-3 fatty acids as part of a healthy diet and perhaps in treating arthritis.

Metabolism of proteoglycans in tendon.

Tendons are dense, fibrous connective tissues that are responsible for transmitting mechanical forces from skeletal muscle to bone. From a clinical perspective, tendinopathy (defined as a syndrome of tendon pain, tenderness and swelling that affects function) is very common, both within the sporting arena and in the workplace. Importantly, proteoglycans are essential components of the tendon extracellular matrix (ECM) and changes in their expression and metabolism/turnover have been associated with tendinopathy. Within tendons, the small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLPRs), decorin, fibromodulin, lumican and keratocan predominate within tensional regions, while in tendon fibrocartilage, increased concentrations of proteoglycans common to the articular cartilage phenotype are present, including aggrecan, biglycan and proteoglycan 4. However, the rate of proteoglycan turnover within tendon is markedly higher than that of cartilage, mediated via the "aggrecanases," which are constitutively active in the tendon matrix. Data suggest that this increased proteoglycan turnover is likely to be required to maintain normal tendon homeostasis, with perturbations in proteoglycan metabolism contributing to tissue dysfunction. Thus, future studies aimed at furthering our fundamental knowledge of tendon proteoglycan metabolism in health and disease are important in the development of improved treatments for tendon disorders.

Relative efficacies of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in reducing expression of key proteins in a model system for studying osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relative efficacy of three different omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in suppressing the mRNA levels for important proteins involved in the etiology of osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: A model cell culture system (bovine chondrocytes) was used. Inflammatory factors and enzymes involved in OA were induced by exposure of the chondrocyte cultures to interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha). The effect of pre-incubating cultures with various amounts of exogenous fatty acids on subsequent levels of mRNAs was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Exposure of cultures to IL-1alpha induced expression of the cartilage proteinases A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase with ThromboSpondin motifs (ADAMTS)-4 and ADAMTS-5, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 and the inflammatory cytokines IL-1alpha, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). n-3 PUFAs were able to reduce the levels of mRNA for ADAMTS-4, ADAMTS-5, MMP-3, MMP-13, COX-2 (but not COX-1), IL-1alpha, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was the most effective, followed by docosahexaenoic (DHA) and then alpha-linolenic (ALA) acid. The n-6 PUFA, arachidonic acid (AA) had no effect. CONCLUSION: These results show that omega-3 (n-3) PUFAs cause a reduction in the mRNA levels for various proteins known to be important in the pathology of OA. They provide a molecular explanation, at least in part, for beneficial effects of dietary omega-3 PUFAs for the amelioration of symptoms of the disease. The relative efficacy of EPA suggests that this omega-3 PUFA may be especially useful for dietary supplementation in patients with OA.

The regulation of the ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5 aggrecanases in osteoarthritis: a review.

Destruction of articular cartilage is a key feature of a number of arthritides, osteoarthritis prominent among them. Aggrecan degradation, caused by increased activity of proteolytic enzymes that degrade macromolecules in the cartilage extracellular matrix, is followed by irreversible collagen degradation. The degradation of aggrecan is mediated by various matrix proteinases, mainly the aggrecanases, multidomain metalloproteinases belonging to the ADAMTS (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs) family. There has been much interest in the possible role of these aggrecanases, mainly ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5, as therapeutic targets in osteoarthritis. There is still debate which of them is the major aggrecanase in osteoarthritis, however, as well as major issues concerning how they are regulated, with possible discrepancies between murine models and results obtained using human osteoarthritis tissue. This review discusses some recent data regarding the regulation of ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5 gene expression in osteoarthritis, with emphasis on the role of proinflammatory cytokines in driving these enzymes, and of the transcription factor NFkappaB in mediating their expression.

Oxidative stress induces expression of osteoarthritis markers procollagen IIA and 3B3(-) in adult bovine articular cartilage.

OBJECTIVE: Oxidative stress occurs when the metabolic balance of a cell is disrupted through exposure to excess pro-oxidant. Whilst it is known that unregulated production or exposure to exogenous sources of pro-oxidants induces chondrocyte cell death and degrades matrix components in vitro, relatively little is known of the effects of pro-oxidants on articular cartilage in situ. The objective of this study was to determine if a single exposure to the pro-oxidant hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) induces a degenerative phenotype. METHODS: Articular cartilage explants were obtained from skeletally mature bovine steers and exposed to a single dose of hydrogen peroxide (0.1-1.0 mM) and cultured for up to 21 days. Cell death, and sulfated glycosaminoglycan loss into the medium and gene expression were quantitatively determined. Adoption of an abnormal chondrocyte phenotype was analyzed through the expression of 3B3(-), nitrotyrosine and procollagen type IIA epitopes in cartilage explants. RESULTS: Cell death occurred primarily at the surface zone of cartilage in a dose-dependent manner in H(2)O(2) treated explants, and supplementation of standard serum-free medium with insulin-selenium-transferrin significantly reduced cell death (>fourfold). Nitric oxide synthase-2 gene expression and proteoglycan loss increased in oxidant treated explants in a concentration-dependent manner. Antibody labeling to 3B3(-), procollagen type IIA and nitrotyrosine was present in all treated explants but absent in untreated explants. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that a single exposure to high levels of pro-oxidant causes the expression of genes and antibody epitopes that are associated with early degenerative changes observed in experimental osteoarthritis.

Chondroitin sulphate impedes the migration of a sub-population of articular cartilage chondrocytes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether chondroitin sulphate (CS) impedes the migration of primary articular chondrocytes. DESIGN: Articular chondrocytes were isolated from young and skeletally mature bovine animals. Boyden chambers were used to quantify chondrocyte migration on aggrecan in the presence and absence of CS chains. A novel in vitro model of cell migration into articular cartilage explants was designed to visualise and quantify the migration of labelled chondrocytes into cartilage matrix which had been treated with chondroitinase ABC to remove CS chains present. RESULTS: A consistent trend of increased migration with both age groups of a sub-population of chondrocytes was demonstrated on aggrecan in the absence of CS. These data were supported by results from the in vitro model of chondrocyte migration which demonstrated increasing numbers of a chondrocyte sub-population from both age groups of cartilage migrating into the chondroitinase ABC digested cartilage explants with time in culture. Minimal migration of these chondrocytes was demonstrated into phosphate buffered saline (PBS) treated control explants. CONCLUSIONS: We confirm that a sub-population of chondrocytes isolated from both young and skeletally mature articular cartilages have the ability to migrate. We also demonstrate that CS chains inhibit the migration of these articular chondrocytes and that their removal by chondroitinase ABC digestion enhances the migration of these chondrocytes. Such findings may provide a clinical application for improving cell-based cartilage repair strategies by enhancing integration between endogenous and repair tissue.

Articular cartilage metabolism in patients with Kashin-Beck Disease: an endemic osteoarthropathy in China.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate CD44 and proteoglycan metabolism in patients suffering from Kashin-Beck Disease (KBD), an endemic osteoarthropathy that affects 2.5 million of 30 million people living in the KBD regions of China. METHODS: Immunohistochemical analyses of cluster of differentiation-44 (CD44), BC-13 and 3-B-3(-) expression were performed in cartilage sections harvested from KBD and normal patients. In addition, the serum levels of soluble CD44 (sCD44), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and matrix metalloproteinase-1 were determined using a sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Hematoxylin & eosin and toluidine blue staining indicated that there was cell necrosis and proteoglycan loss in cartilage from both KBD children and adult cartilage. Strong immunohistochemical staining for CD44, BC-13 and 3-B-3(-) occurred in the majority of adult KBD patients and most KBD children. Furthermore, statistically significant elevated levels of sCD44, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha were found in the sera of both adult and child KBD patients when compared to the levels of normal adult and child controls. Interestingly, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha serum levels were all high in normal children from KBD regions when compared to normal children from non-KBD regions suggesting that unidentified factors (e.g., a genetic predisposition) may protect some people from KBD pathology. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that altered CD44, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha metabolism occurs in the pathogenesis of KBD and there is an increased aggrecanase-generated proteoglycan loss from KBD adult and child cartilage. These primary metabolic changes are likely to be significant contributing factor causing pathological joint formation and instability that leads to secondary osteoarthritis in KBD patients.

Cytokine induced metalloproteinase expression and activity does not correlate with focal susceptibility of articular cartilage to degeneration.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the focal susceptibility to cartilage degeneration in joints is related to a differential response to cytokine stimulation. METHODS: Compare aggrecan and collagen catabolism in in-vitro models of cartilage degradation induced by retinoic acid (RA), interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) and IL-1 plus oncostatin M (OSM). Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and hydroxyproline (HyPro) quantification and Western immunoblot analyses of aggrecan and collagen degradation products were undertaken in explant cultures of normal cartilage from regions of equine joints with a known high and low susceptibility to degeneration in disease. RNA isolation and semi quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis were performed to determine the expression of aggrecanases, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors. RESULTS: Although the rate of basal cartilage aggrecan turnover was dependent on joint region there was no difference in the response of different cartilages to cytokines. Individual animals did show a significant difference in the response of certain cartilages to cytokines, with both decreased and increased aggrecan loss in cartilage with a low susceptibility to degeneration. Aggrecan release in both short- and long-term cultures from all cartilages was associated with increased cleavage by aggrecanases rather than MMPs. There was a poor correlation between expression of aggrecanases, MMPs or their inhibitors and cytokine induced aggrecan catabolism. IL-1 alone was able to stimulate collagen breakdown in equine articular cartilage and surprisingly, significantly more collagen loss was induced in cartilage from regions less susceptible to degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these studies suggest that a regional difference in response to catabolic cytokines is unlikely to be a factor in the initiation of focal cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis (OA).

Comparison of the effects of caudal pole hemi-meniscectomy and complete medial meniscectomy in the canine stifle joint.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of caudal pole hemi-meniscectomy (CPHM) and complete medial meniscectomy (MM), specifically with respect to development of secondary osteoarthritis, in the stifle joints of clinically normal dogs. ANIMALS: 14 large-breed dogs. PROCEDURE: Unilateral CPHM (7 dogs) or MM (7) was performed, and the left stifle joints served as untreated control joints. Gait was assessed in all dogs before surgery and at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks postoperatively. After euthanasia, joints were evaluated grossly; Mankin cartilage scores, subchondral bone density assessment, and articular cartilage proteoglycan extraction and western blot analyses of 3B3(-) and 7D4 epitopes were performed. RESULTS: Weight distribution on control limbs exceeded that of treated limbs at 4 and 16 weeks after surgery in the CPHM group and at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery in the MM group; weight distribution was not significantly different between the 2 groups. After 16 weeks, incomplete meniscal regeneration and cartilage fibrillation on the medial aspect of the tibial plateau and medial femoral condyle were detected in treated joints in both groups. Mankin cartilage scores, subchondral bone density, and immunoexpression of 3B3(-) or 7D4 in articular cartilage in CPHM- or MM-treated joints were similar; 7D4 epitope concentration in synovial fluid was significantly greater in the MM-treated joints than in CPHM-treated joints. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Overall severity of secondary osteoarthritis induced by CPHM and MM was similar. Investigation of 7D4 epitope concentration in synovial fluid suggested that CPHM was associated with less disruption of chondrocyte metabolism.

Detection of aggrecanase- and MMP-generated catabolic neoepitopes in the rat iodoacetate model of cartilage degeneration.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the time course of aggrecan and type II collagen degradation in the rat iodoacetate model of cartilage degeneration in relationship to the temporal sequence that has been described in human osteoarthritis (OA). DESIGN: Rats were injected intra-articularly in one knee joint with iodoacetate and damage to the tibial plateau was assessed from digitized images captured using an image analyzer. The articular cartilage from the tibial plateau was harvested, extracted and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content was measured using the dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB) assay. Cartilage aggrecan neoepitopes were detected in cartilage extracts by Western blotting using antibodies recognizing the aggrecanase-generated C-terminal neoepitope NITEGE (BC-13) and the MMP-generated C-terminal neoepitope DIPEN (BC-4). A type II collagen collagenase-generated neoepitope was detected in cartilage extracts by ELISA using the Col2-3/4Cshort antibody; denatured collagen was detected using the Col2-3/4m antibody. RESULTS: Degenerative joint changes and proteoglycan (GAG) loss progressed with time after iodoacetate injection. Western blotting of cartilage extracts of iodoacetate treated rats demonstrated an increase in both aggrecanase- and MMP-generated epitopes with the NITEGE aggrecanase neoepitope being significantly elevated on days 7, 14 and 21 while DIPEN the MMP neoepitope was significantly elevated on days 7 and 14. The type II collagen neoepitope recognized by Col2-3/4Cshort was significantly increased in cartilage extracts of rats at days 14 and 21 after iodoacetate injection. CONCLUSION: The proteoglycan fragments extracted from the knee cartilage of rats after the intra-articular injection of iodoacetate appeared to result from cleavage at both aggrecanase and MMP sites. Cleavage of type II collagen by collagenase was also detected after iodoacetate injection and occurred subsequent to the initiation of aggrecan loss. These observations serve to demonstrate similarities in the mechanisms of cartilage degeneration induced by iodoacetate to those seen in articular cartilage in OA.