Review. Articular cartilage chondrons: form, function and failure

Poole, Charles

doi:10.1046/j.1469-7580.1997.19110001.x

Cited by 380 publications

(346 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…That chondrocytes of the middle and deep zones can be grouped in single, double or multiple chondron columns with interconnecting segments between adjacent chondrons has been reported for non-degenerative tibial cartilage (Poole, 1997). It has been suggested that chondrocyte groups may have formed during skeletal development (Morrison et al, 2000), and their pairing may have arisen after cell division followed by an incomplete separation within the chondron microenvironment (Chi et al, 2004).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Its histomorphology is dominated by an extracellular matrix (ECM) consisting mainly of proteoglycan and type II collagen. Although cells of articular cartilage are represented by relatively sparsely distributed chondrocytes (Kuettner et al, 1991;Stockwell, 1971), articular chondrocytes and their pericellular microenvironment, termed chondrons, function as the primary metabolic units of articular cartilage to maintain matrix homeostasis via a synchronized balance between anabolism and catabolism (Kuettner et al, 1991;Poole, 1997).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Distinct horizontal patterns in the spatial organization of superficial zone chondrocytes of human joints

Rolauffs

Williams

Grodzinsky

et al. 2008

Journal of Structural Biology

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A better understanding of the unique cellular and functional properties of the superficial zone of articular cartilage may aid current strategies in tissue engineering which attempts a layered design for the repair of cartilage lesions to avert or postpone the onset of osteoarthritis. However, data pertaining to the cellular organization of non-degenerated superficial zone of articular cartilage is not available for most human joints. The present study analyzed the arrangement of chondrocytes of non-degenerated human joints (shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle) by using fluorescence microscopy of the superficial zone in a top-down view. The resulting horizontal chondrocyte arrangements were tested for randomness, homogeneity or a significant grouping via point pattern analysis and were correlated with the joint type in which they occurred. The present study demonstrated that human superficial chondrocytes occurred in four distinct patterns of strings, clusters, pairs or single chondrocytes. Those patterns represented a significant grouping (p<0.0001) with horizontal alignment. Each articular joint surface was dominated by only one of these four patterns (p<0.001). Specific patterns correlated with specific diarthrodial joint types (p<0.001). Further studies need to establish whether these organizational patterns are a consequence of their surrounding environment or whether they are linked to a functional purpose.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distinct horizontal patterns in the spatial organization of superficial zone chondrocytes of human joints

Rolauffs

Williams

Grodzinsky

et al. 2008

Journal of Structural Biology

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“…The pericellular matrix is a thin zone, different in composition to the interterritorial matrix, which surrounds each cell [4] and is believed to be an important element in this comunication.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemically specific imaging and in-situ chemical analysis of articular cartilage with stimulated Raman scattering

et al. 2013

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Stimulated Raman Scattering has been applied to unstained samples of articular cartilage enabling the investigation of living cells within fresh tissue. Hyperspectral SRS measurements over the CH vibrational region showed variations in protein and lipid content within the cells, pericellular matrix and interteritorial matrix. Changes in the cells and pericellular matrix were investigated as a function of depth into the cartilage. Lipid was detected in the pericellular matrix of superficial zone chondrocytes. The spectral profile of lipid droplets within the chondrocytes indicated that they contained predominantly unsaturated lipids. The mineral content has been imaged by using the PO4 3-vibration at 959cm -1 and the CO3 2-vibration at 1070cm -1 . Both changes in cells and mineralization are known to be important factors in the progression of osteoarthritis. SRS enables these to be visualised in fresh unstained tissue and consequently should benefit osteoarthiritis research

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“…In normal cartilage, the PCM is often defined by the exclusive presence and localization of type VI collagen around the chondrocytes [8 -11] and is characterized by an elevated concentration of proteoglycans and glycoproteins relative to the surrounding ECM [12][13][14]. While the exact function of the PCM in cartilage is not fully understood, it is thought to play an important biomechanical role in the tissue.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immunofluorescence-guided atomic force microscopy to measure the micromechanical properties of the pericellular matrix of porcine articular cartilage

Wilusz

DeFrate

Guilak

2012

J. R. Soc. Interface.

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The pericellular matrix (PCM) is a narrow region that is rich in type VI collagen that surrounds each chondrocyte within the extracellular matrix (ECM) of articular cartilage. Previous studies have demonstrated that the chondrocyte micromechanical environment depends on the relative properties of the chondrocyte, its PCM and the ECM. The objective of this study was to measure the influence of type VI collagen on site-specific micromechanical properties of cartilage in situ by combining atomic force microscopy stiffness mapping with immunofluorescence imaging of PCM and ECM regions in cryo-sectioned tissue samples. This method was used to test the hypotheses that PCM biomechanical properties correlate with the presence of type VI collagen and are uniform with depth from the articular surface. Control experiments verified that immunolabelling did not affect the properties of the ECM or PCM. PCM biomechanical properties correlated with the presence of type VI collagen, and matrix regions lacking type VI collagen immediately adjacent to the PCM exhibited higher elastic moduli than regions positive for type VI collagen. PCM elastic moduli were similar in all three zones. Our findings provide further support for type VI collagen in defining the chondrocyte PCM and contributing to its biological and biomechanical properties.

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Review. Articular cartilage chondrons: form, function and failure

Cited by 380 publications

References 27 publications

Distinct horizontal patterns in the spatial organization of superficial zone chondrocytes of human joints

Distinct horizontal patterns in the spatial organization of superficial zone chondrocytes of human joints

Chemically specific imaging and in-situ chemical analysis of articular cartilage with stimulated Raman scattering

Immunofluorescence-guided atomic force microscopy to measure the micromechanical properties of the pericellular matrix of porcine articular cartilage

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