Objective. To perform a comprehensive analysis of the integrin forms expressed by normal human articular chondrocytes.Methods. Cartilage sections and collagenasereleased chondrocytes were probed with a comprehen- Conclusion.Normal human articular chondrocytes prominently display substantial quantities of the alp1, a5&, and aVp5 integrin heterodimers, as well as lesser quantities of the a3& and heterodimers. The a,, subunit-containing integrins are detected more readily on the more superficial chondrocytes than on chondrocytes deep within cartilage. These observations provide the basis for analysis of the role of chondrocyte integrins in cartilage homeostasis and in the pathogenesis of joint diseases.

The integrins are a family of adhesion-mediating cell surface receptors that play critical roles in cell-extracellular matrix interactions and have been shown to be important in the healing response in several tissues. We have studied integrin expression in normal human and rabbit anterior cruciate (ACL) and medial collateral (MCL) ligaments of the knee as a preamble to studies of beta 1-integrin expression in healing ligaments. Histologic sections of human and rabbit ACL and MCL were probed for integrin expression utilizing integrin-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) followed by immunoperoxidase detection. Staining of human specimens with mAbs revealed the presence of beta 1-, alpha 1-, and alpha 5-integrin chains on the tissue fibroblasts of both ACL and MCL, while staining of rabbit specimens with rabbit integrin-reactive monoclonals revealed the presence of beta 1- and alpha 5-integrin on these ligaments. Equivalent amounts of the integrins studied were present on normal ACL and MCL. We conclude that the rabbit is an appropriate model for analyzing the expression and functional role of integrins in ligament wound healing.

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Staphylococcal postoperative toxic shock syndrome (PTSS) has been associated with a variety of surgical procedures. It is generally believed that the source of infection is acquired at or near the time of surgery. PTSS has been specifically associated with nasal packing, insertion of hardware, surgical drains, retained foreign materials, and breaks in sterile technique. Although PTSS has been associated with postoperative abscesses, development of PTSS after surgery of a pre-existing source of infection has not been described. We report a case of PTSS that developed after vertebral abscess drainage, and we review the literature to determine the incidence of PTSS due to preexisting staphylococcal infection.