Immunohistochemical analysis of ageing and osteoarthritic articular cartilage

Abstract

Articular cartilage degeneration seen in osteoarthritis is primarily the consequence of events within the articular cartilage that leads to the production of proteases by chondrocytes. 22 osteoarthritic cartilage specimens were obtained from patients with primary osteoarthritis (46-81 years) undergoing total knee replacement. 12 age-matched (41-86 years) and 16 young (16-40 years) non-osteoarthritic control cartilage specimens were obtained from the cadavers in the department of Anatomy and from patients undergoing lower limb amputation in Trauma center of PGIMER, Chandigarh. 5 μ thick paraffin sections were stained for osteocalcin, osteopontin, osteonectin and alkaline phosphatase to analyze their expression in hypertrophied chondrocytes and osteoarthritic cartilage matrix and to compare the staining intensity with that of normal ageing articular cartilage. Immunohistochemical staining of tissue sections revealed moderate to strong cytoplasmic staining for all four stains in all the specimens of the osteoarthritic group compared to age-matched control. The immunohistochemical scores were significantly higher in the osteoarthritic group for all four stains. The features of the osteoarthritic articular cartilage were markedly different from the non-osteoarthritic age-matched articular cartilage suggesting that osteoarthritis is not an inevitable feature of aging.

A Study of Changes in Morphology of Osteoarthritic Articular Cartilage Using Computerized Image Analysis

“…Despite this difference in lacunar size, normal histology, that is, four zones could be identified in all non-OA specimens though minor changes in the superficial zone, was observed in the ageing articular cartilage [4]. However, in other light microscopic studies [5,6] we observed a completely altered histology throughout the thickness of the cartilage in OA. So the present study was conducted using computerized image analysis to quantitate the differences observed in OA articular cartilage.…”

Computerized Morphometric Analysis of Human Femoral Articular Cartilage

“…The changes in the superficial layer which appear due to splitting of collagen bundles have been linked with a weakened or altered fibrillar network [5] and could deprive the adjacent cartilage of its nutrition leading to further changes. In previous studies, we observed an irregular articular surface and altered histology throughout the thickness of the cartilage in osteoarthritic articular cartilage [6, 7]. Wigley [8] also stated that articular cartilage has no nerves or blood vessels and its nutrition depends on peripheral vascular plexus in synovial membrane ( circulus vasculosus articuli ), synovial fluid, and blood vessels in adjacent marrow spaces though the relative importance of these is uncertain.…”

Arthroplasty in veterans: Analysis of cartilage, bone, serum, and synovial fluid reveals differences and similarities in osteoarthritis with and without comorbid diabetes

“…OCN is produced by mature osteoblasts and osteocytes as well as by chondrocytes in OA cartilage and is considered a biomarker for bone formation [22,39–40]. A recent perspective article from Clemens and Karsenty presents the hypothesis that higher OCN is associated with improved glucose metabolism, including both increased insulin secretion from the pancreas and increased insulin sensitivity in the peripheral tissues, and that leptin plays a role as a negative regulator of this mechanism [41].…”