Ultrastructure of Chondrocytes in Osteoarthritic Femoral Articular Cartilage

Abstract

BackgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) is a common problem in elderly, but it is not an inevitable feature of ageing. About 80-90% of individuals of both sexes have radiographic evidence of OA by the time they reach an age of 65. But not all of them have the symptoms like pain and decreased joint motion. ObjectiveThe objective of the present study was conducted to find out whether the osteoarthritic changes in human articular cartilage are similar to the ageing process or not. MethodsFemoral articular cartilage specimens obtained from 13 osteoarthritic patients (52-80years) undergoing total knee replacement and 9 cadavers of same age group (50-80years) (control) were processed and studied under electron microscope. The ultrastructure of the cartilage from the two groups was compared with each other. ResultsUnder the electron microscope, articular cartilage from control group had chondrocytes having a secretary cell characteristic with prominent nucleus and well developed organelles. In osteoarthritic cartilage, degenerating or necrotic chondrocytes were found. Nuclei of these chondrocytes appeared lobulated or indented. Chondrocytes below the fibrillated surface had dilated and irregular endoplasmic reticulum. Electron dense lipid deposits in the extracelluar matrix as well as intracytoplasmic glycogen deposits were much increased in osteoarthritic cartilage as compared to the control group. Amount of perinuclear intracytoplasmic fine filaments was also increased in the chondrocytes of osteoarthritic cartilage. ConclusionUltrastructural findings of the osteoarthritic articular cartilage were much different from the ageing non-osteoarthritic cartilage. Hence, OA should be considered a specific process and not simply an inevitable feature of ageing.

A Simplified Method for the Aspiration of Bone Marrow from Patients Undergoing Hip and Knee Joint Replacement for Isolating Mesenchymal Stem Cells andIn VitroChondrogenesis

“…Extensive rER is present in week-4 generated micromass chondrocytes ( Figure 10(b) ). Ultrastructure detail of micromass cartilage shows many similarities to the ultrastructure of human articular cartilage [ 32 , 33 ]. Chondrocyte from human femur articular cartilage shows vacuoles, glycogen deposits, and rER similar to the structures we observed in the chondrocyte of micromass cartilage [ 33 ].…”

“…Ultrastructure detail of micromass cartilage shows many similarities to the ultrastructure of human articular cartilage [ 32 , 33 ]. Chondrocyte from human femur articular cartilage shows vacuoles, glycogen deposits, and rER similar to the structures we observed in the chondrocyte of micromass cartilage [ 33 ]. Roy and Meachim noted glycogen deposits, many mitochondria, and extensive rER in human nonfibrillated femur articular cartilage [ 32 ].…”