Quantitation of structural features characterizing weight- and less-weight-bearing regions in articular cartilage: a stereological analysis of medial femoral condyles in young adult rabbits

Cartilage Integrity: A Review of Mechanical and Frictional Properties and Repair Approaches in Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common causes of disability around the globe, especially in aging populations. The main symptoms of OA are pain and loss of motion and function of the affected joint. Hyaline cartilage has limited ability for regeneration due to its avascularity, lack of nerve endings, and very slow metabolism. Total joint replacement (TJR) has to date been used as the treatment of end-stage disease. Various joint-sparing alternatives, including conservative and surgical treatment, have been proposed in the literature; however, no treatment to date has been fully successful in restoring hyaline cartilage. The mechanical and frictional properties of the cartilage are of paramount importance in terms of cartilage resistance to continuous loading. OA causes numerous changes in the macro- and microstructure of cartilage, affecting its mechanical properties. Increased friction and reduced load-bearing capability of the cartilage accelerate further degradation of tissue by exerting increased loads on the healthy surrounding tissues. Cartilage repair techniques aim to restore function and reduce pain in the affected joint. Numerous studies have investigated the biological aspects of OA progression and cartilage repair techniques. However, the mechanical properties of cartilage repair techniques are of vital importance and must be addressed too. This review, therefore, addresses the mechanical and frictional properties of articular cartilage and its changes during OA, and it summarizes the mechanical outcomes of cartilage repair techniques.

Genomic Determinants of Knee Joint Biomechanics: An Exploration into the Molecular Basis of Locomotor Function, a Narrative Review

In recent years, the nexus between genetics and biomechanics has garnered significant attention, elucidating the role of genomic determinants in shaping the biomechanical attributes of human joints, specifically the knee. This review seeks to provide a comprehensive exploration of the molecular basis underlying knee joint locomotor function. Leveraging advancements in genomic sequencing, we identified specific genetic markers and polymorphisms tied to key biomechanical features of the knee, such as ligament elasticity, meniscal resilience, and cartilage health. Particular attention was devoted to collagen genes like COL1A1 and COL5A1 and their influence on ligamentous strength and injury susceptibility. We further investigated the genetic underpinnings of knee osteoarthritis onset and progression, as well as the potential for personalized rehabilitation strategies tailored to an individual's genetic profile. We reviewed the impact of genetic factors on knee biomechanics and highlighted the importance of personalized orthopedic interventions. The results hold significant implications for injury prevention, treatment optimization, and the future of regenerative medicine, targeting not only knee joint health but joint health in general.

Conducting osteochondral injury model in rabbit knee: Pearls and pitfalls

Osteochondral damage is a commonly encountered issue in the daily orthopedic practice and has been extensively researched across various areas, including tissue transplantations, tissue engineering products, stem cell applications, and cell culture studies. The absence of a universally accepted treatment as the gold standard for osteochondral damage indicates the necessity for further studies in this field in the future. Although the biomechanical characteristics of the rabbit knee do not perfectly mimic those of the human knee, experimental studies conducted on rabbit knees are considered the most practical experimental model for testing a well-constructed experimental hypothesis. Our article endeavors to impart our practical insights and experiences to researchers without experience whom seeking to design studies utilizing this model. We aim to offer valuable guidance for preoperative, operative, and postoperative considerations. •Rabbits used in osteochondral healing models should be at least 4 months old or older. Inducing damage in the trochlea is a well-established technique and relatively easy to apply.•Do not use pointy ended drills as it might create uneven damage. Do not place applied treatment agent in inappropriate level in relation to the surrounding cartilage surface.

Effectiveness of BMP-2 and PDGF-BB Adsorption onto a Collagen/Collagen-Magnesium-Hydroxyapatite Scaffold in Weight-Bearing and Non-Weight-Bearing Osteochondral Defect Bone Repair: In Vitro, Ex Vivo and In Vivo Evaluation

Despite promising clinical results in osteochondral defect repair, a recently developed bi-layered collagen/collagen-magnesium-hydroxyapatite scaffold has demonstrated less optimal subchondral bone repair. This study aimed to improve the bone repair potential of this scaffold by adsorbing bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and/or platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) onto said scaffold. The in vitro release kinetics of BMP-2/PDGF-BB demonstrated that PDGF-BB was burst released from the collagen-only layer, whereas BMP-2 was largely retained in both layers. Cell ingrowth was enhanced by BMP-2/PDFG-BB in a bovine osteochondral defect ex vivo model. In an in vivo semi-orthotopic athymic mouse model, adding BMP-2 or PDGF-BB increased tissue repair after four weeks. After eight weeks, most defects were filled with bone tissue. To further investigate the promising effect of BMP-2, a caprine bilateral stifle osteochondral defect model was used where defects were created in weight-bearing femoral condyle and non-weight-bearing trochlear groove locations. After six months, the adsorption of BMP-2 resulted in significantly less bone repair compared with scaffold-only in the femoral condyle defects and a trend to more bone repair in the trochlear groove. Overall, the adsorption of BMP-2 onto a Col/Col-Mg-HAp scaffold reduced bone formation in weight-bearing osteochondral defects, but not in non-weight-bearing osteochondral defects.

Instructive cartilage regeneration modalities with advanced therapeutic implantations under abnormal conditions

The development of interdisciplinary biomedical engineering brings significant breakthroughs to the field of cartilage regeneration. However, cartilage defects are considerably more complicated in clinical conditions, especially when injuries occur at specific sites (e.g., osteochondral tissue, growth plate, and weight-bearing area) or under inflammatory microenvironments (e.g., osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis). Therapeutic implantations, including advanced scaffolds, developed growth factors, and various cells alone or in combination currently used to treat cartilage lesions, address cartilage regeneration under abnormal conditions. This review summarizes the strategies for cartilage regeneration at particular sites and pathological microenvironment regulation and discusses the challenges and opportunities for clinical transformation.

Multiscale Strain Transfer in Cartilage

The transfer of stress and strain signals between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and cells is crucial for biochemical and biomechanical cues that are required for tissue morphogenesis, differentiation, growth, and homeostasis. In cartilage tissue, the heterogeneity in spatial variation of ECM molecules leads to a depth-dependent non-uniform strain transfer and alters the magnitude of forces sensed by cells in articular and fibrocartilage, influencing chondrocyte metabolism and biochemical response. It is not fully established how these nonuniform forces ultimately influence cartilage health, maintenance, and integrity. To comprehend tissue remodelling in health and disease, it is fundamental to investigate how these forces, the ECM, and cells interrelate. However, not much is known about the relationship between applied mechanical stimulus and resulting spatial variations in magnitude and sense of mechanical stimuli within the chondrocyte’s microenvironment. Investigating multiscale strain transfer and hierarchical structure-function relationships in cartilage is key to unravelling how cells receive signals and how they are transformed into biosynthetic responses. Therefore, this article first reviews different cartilage types and chondrocyte mechanosensing. Following this, multiscale strain transfer through cartilage tissue and the involvement of individual ECM components are discussed. Finally, insights to further understand multiscale strain transfer in cartilage are outlined.

Reproducing the Biomechanical Environment of the Chondrocyte for Cartilage Tissue Engineering

It is well known that the biomechanical and tribological performance of articular cartilage is inextricably linked to its extracellular matrix (ECM) structure and zonal heterogeneity. Furthermore, it is understood that the presence of native ECM components, such as collagen II and aggrecan, promote healthy homeostasis in the resident chondrocytes. What is less frequently discussed is how chondrocyte metabolism is related to the extracellular mechanical environment, at both the macro and microscale. The chondrocyte is in immediate contact with the pericellular matrix of the chondron, which acts as a mechanocoupler, transmitting external applied loads from the ECM to the chondrocyte. Therefore, components of the pericellular matrix also play essential roles in chondrocyte mechanotransduction and metabolism. Recreating the biomechanical environment through tuning material properties of a scaffold and/or the use of external cyclic loading can induce biosynthetic responses in chondrocytes. Decellularized scaffolds, which retain the native tissue macro- and microstructure also represent an effective means of recapitulating such an environment. The use of such techniques in tissue engineering applications can ensure the regeneration of skeletally mature articular cartilage with appropriate biomechanical and tribological properties to restore joint function. Despite the pivotal role in graft maturation and performance, biomechanical and tribological properties of such interventions is often underrepresented. This review outlines the role of biomechanics in relation to native cartilage performance and chondrocyte metabolism, and how application of this theory can enhance the future development and successful translation of biomechanically relevant tissue engineering interventions. Impact statement Physiological cartilage function is a key criterion in the success of a cartilage tissue engineering solution. The in situ performance is dependent on the initial scaffold design as well as extracellular matrix deposition by endogenous or exogenous cells. Both biological and biomechanical stimuli serve as key regulators of cartilage homeostasis and maturation of the resulting tissue-engineered graft. An improved understanding of the influence of biomechanics on cellular function and consideration of the final biomechanical and tribological performance will help in the successful development and translation of tissue-engineered grafts to restore natural joint function postcartilage trauma or osteoarthritic degeneration, delaying the requirement for prosthetic intervention.

Qualitative analysis of contribution of intracellular skeletal changes to cellular elasticity

Cells are dynamic structures that continually generate and sustain mechanical forces within their environments. Cells respond to mechanical forces by changing their shape, moving, and differentiating. These reactions are caused by intracellular skeletal changes, which induce changes in cellular mechanical properties such as stiffness, elasticity, viscoelasticity, and adhesiveness. Interdisciplinary research combining molecular biology with physics and mechanical engineering has been conducted to characterize cellular mechanical properties and understand the fundamental mechanisms of mechanotransduction. In this review, we focus on the role of cytoskeletal proteins in cellular mechanics. The specific role of each cytoskeletal protein, including actin, intermediate filaments, and microtubules, on cellular elasticity is summarized along with the effects of interactions between the fibers.

Early-Onset Osteoarthritis originates at the chondrocyte level in Hip Dysplasia

Subjects with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) often show early-onset osteoarthritis (OA); however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this pathology are not known. We investigated whether cellular changes in chondrocytes from OA cartilage can be detected in chondrocytes from DDH cartilage before histological manifestations of degeneration. We characterized undamaged and damaged articular cartilage from 22 participants having hip replacement surgery with and without DDH (9 DDH-OA, 12 OA-only, one femoral fracture). Tissue immunostaining revealed changes in damaged OA-only cartilage that was also found in undamaged DDH-OA cartilage. Chondrocytes in situ from both groups show: (i) thicker fibers of vimentin intermediate filaments, (ii) clusters of integrin α₅β₁, (iii) positive MMP13 staining and (iv) a higher percentage of cells expressing the serine protease HtrA1. Further characterization of the extracellular matrix showed strong aggrecan and collagen II immunostaining in undamaged DDH cartilage, with no evidence of augmented cell death by activation of caspase 3. These findings suggest that early events in DDH cartilage originate at the chondrocyte level and that DDH cartilage may provide a novel opportunity to study these early changes for the development of therapeutic targets for OA.

Hybrid and Composite Scaffolds Based on Extracellular Matrices for Cartilage Tissue Engineering

IMPACT STATEMENT

Scaffolds fabricated from extracellular matrix (ECM) derivatives are composed of conducive structures for cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation, but generally do not have proper mechanical properties and load-bearing capacity. In contrast, scaffolds based on synthetic biomaterials demonstrate appropriate mechanical strength, but the absence of desirable biological properties is one of their main disadvantages. To integrate mechanical strength and biological cues, these ECM derivatives can be conjugated with synthetic biomaterials. Hence, hybrid scaffolds comprising both advantages of synthetic polymers and ECM derivatives can be considered a robust vehicle for tissue engineering applications.

Training Load Monitoring in Team Sports: A Novel Framework Separating Physiological and Biomechanical Load-Adaptation Pathways

There have been considerable advances in monitoring training load in running-based team sports in recent years. Novel technologies nowadays offer ample opportunities to continuously monitor the activities of a player. These activities lead to internal biochemical stresses on the various physiological subsystems; however, they also cause internal mechanical stresses on the various musculoskeletal tissues. Based on the amount and periodization of these stresses, the subsystems and tissues adapt. Therefore, by monitoring external loads, one hopes to estimate internal loads to predict adaptation, through understanding the load-adaptation pathways. We propose a new theoretical framework in which physiological and biomechanical load-adaptation pathways are considered separately, shedding new light on some of the previously published evidence. We hope that it can help the various practitioners in this field (trainers, coaches, medical staff, sport scientists) to align their thoughts when considering the value of monitoring load, and that it can help researchers design experiments that can better rationalize training-load monitoring for improving performance while preventing injury.

The primary cilium as a signaling nexus for growth plate function and subsequent skeletal development

The primary cilium is a solitary, antenna-like sensory organelle with many important roles in cartilage and bone development, maintenance, and function. The primary cilium's potential role as a signaling nexus in the growth plate makes it an attractive therapeutic target for diseases and disorders associated with bone development and maintenance. Many signaling pathways that are mediated by the cilium-such as Hh, Wnt, Ihh/PTHrP, TGFβ, BMP, FGF, and Notch-are also known to influence endochondral ossification, primarily by directing growth plate formation and chondrocyte behavior. Although a few studies have demonstrated that these signaling pathways can be directly tied to the primary cilium, many pathways have yet to be evaluated in context of the cilium. This review serves to bridge this knowledge gap in the literature, as well as discuss the cilium's importance in the growth plate's ability to sense and respond to chemical and mechanical stimuli. Furthermore, we explore the importance of using the appropriate mechanism to study the cilium in vivo and suggest IFT88 deletion is the best available technique. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:533-545, 2018.

Map and correlate intracellular calcium response and matrix deposition in cartilage under physiological oxygen tensions

Face to the limited repair capability of cartilage, we intended to find out signaling responsible for its matrix synthesis. Since spontaneous calcium response likes a label of cell status, here it was mapped in fresh and 24 hr cultured in situ chondrocytes under oxygen tensions of 20%, 5%, and 1% as well as mimic hypoxia conditions. The calcium source was traced using ethylene glycol-bis (β-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) and thapsigargin (TG) to treat cartilage. Their relative matrix of type II collagen (COLL-II) and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) were quantified after cultured for 3 and 7 days. We disclosed the specific fingerprint of calcium response and matrix deposition along the histological zones under various oxygen tensions, from which the effects of hyperoxia, normoxia, and hypoxia conditions on as well as the optimal oxygen tensions for maintenance of various zones of cartilage or chondrocytes were derived and obtained. Our results revealed that cytoplasm calcium was conducive to synthesize COLL-II but detrimental to synthesize GAG. These results provide correlation in addition to details of intracellular calcium response and matrix deposition in in situ cartilage along its histological zones under physiological oxygen tensions.

Multiscale design and synthesis of biomimetic gradient protein/biosilica composites for interfacial tissue engineering

Continuous gradients present at tissue interfaces such as osteochondral systems, reflect complex tissue functions and involve changes in extracellular matrix compositions, cell types and mechanical properties. New and versatile biomaterial strategies are needed to create suitable biomimetic engineered grafts for interfacial tissue engineering. Silk protein-based composites, coupled with selective peptides with mineralization domains, were utilized to mimic the soft-to-hard transition in osteochondral interfaces. The gradient composites supported tunable mineralization and mechanical properties corresponding to the spatial concentration gradient of the mineralization domains (R5 peptide). The composite system exhibited continuous transitions in terms of composition, structure and mechanical properties, as well as cytocompatibility and biodegradability. The gradient silicified silk/R5 composites promoted and regulated osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells in an osteoinductive environment in vitro. The cells differentiated along the composites in a manner consistent with the R5-gradient profile. This novel biomimetic gradient biomaterial design offers a useful approach to meet a broad range of needs in regenerative medicine.

Dietary variation and mechanical properties of articular cartilage in the temporomandibular joint: implications for the role of plasticity in mechanobiology and pathobiology

Due to their nature as tissue composites, skeletal joints pose an additional challenge in terms of evaluating the functional significance of morphological variation in their bony and cartilaginous components in response to altered loading conditions. Arguably, this complexity requires more direct means of investigating joint plasticity and performance than typically employed to analyze macro- and micro-anatomical phenomena. To address a significant gap in our understanding of the plasticity of the mammalian temporomandibular joint (TMJ), we investigated the histology and mechanical properties of condylar articular cartilage in rabbits subjected to long-term variation in diet-induced masticatory stresses, specifically cyclical loading. Three cohorts of male weanlings were raised for six months on different diets until adulthood. Following euthanasia, the TMJ condyles on one side were dissected away, fixed, decalcified, dehydrated, embedded and sectioned. Safranin O staining was employed to identify variation in proteoglycan content, which in turn was used to predict patterns of articular cartilage stiffness in contralateral condylar specimens for each treatment group. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to quantify diet-induced changes in chondrocyte hypertrophy and cellularity. Mechanical tests document significant decreases in articular cartilage stiffness corresponding to patterns of extracellular matrix relative protein abundance in rabbits subjected to greater cyclical loading. This indicates that TMJs routinely subjected to higher masticatory stresses due to a challenging diet eventually develop postnatal decreases in the ability to counter compressive loads during postcanine biting and chewing. These findings provide novel information regarding TMJ performance, with broader implications about the costs and benefits of phenotypic plasticity as well as implications for how such biological processes affect connective tissue mechanobiology and pathobiology.

Time-Dependent Effects of Arthroscopic Conditions on Human Articular Cartilage: An In Vivo Study

PURPOSE

To assess time-dependent effects of arthroscopic conditions on human articular cartilage in vivo.

METHODS

From each of 10 patients undergoing multiligament reconstruction of the knee under our routine arthroscopic conditions (gravity irrigation of 0.9% normal saline solution at room temperature with 150 cm H₂O [110 mm Hg] pressure and pneumatic tourniquet under 270 mm Hg pressure), cartilage specimens were harvested from the lateral edge of the femoral notch at the beginning of the operation (baseline) and at 15-, 30-, 45-, and 60-minute time points during the operation. H&E staining and safranin O staining were used to evaluate the tissue structure, chondrocytes, and extracellular matrix (ECM) of the articular cartilage. Chondrocyte viability was evaluated, and a biochemical examination of the ECM was performed to detect changes in glycosaminoglycan and collagen content. The expression levels of genes associated with proinflammatory cytokines, ECM metabolism, and chondrocyte apoptosis of the articular cartilage were evaluated.

RESULTS

At the 45- and 60-minute time points, an obvious impairment of tissue structure, a significant decrease in glycosaminoglycan content, and a significantly lower percentage chondrocyte viability were observed, as compared with baseline (P < .05). Regarding the tissue collagen content, no significant change was detected at any time point (P > .05). The gene expression examination at the 45- and 60-minute time points detected significant upregulation of interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor α (P < .05), indicating an inflammatory response by the chondrocytes, and significant upregulation of aggrecanase 1 (P < .05), which indicates catabolism or the disturbance of aggrecan metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

Under current arthroscopic conditions, an operative duration of 45 minutes or longer can cause detrimental structural, biochemical, and metabolic effects on human articular cartilage.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Arthroscopic skills should always be improved to reduce operation time and thus minimize the potential detrimental effects of arthroscopic conditions on articular cartilage.

Loss of spatial organization and destruction of the pericellular matrix in early osteoarthritis in vivo and in a novel in vitro methodology

OBJECTIVES

Current repair procedures for articular cartilage (AC) cannot restore the tissue's original form and function because neither changes in its architectural blueprint throughout life nor the respective biological understanding is fully available. We asked whether two unique elements of human cartilage architecture, the chondrocyte-surrounding pericellular matrix (PCM) and the superficial chondrocyte spatial organization (SCSO) beneath the articular surface (AS) are congenital, stable or dynamic throughout life. We hypothesized that inducing chondrocyte proliferation in vitro impairs organization and PCM and induces an advanced osteoarthritis (OA)-like structural phenotype of human cartilage.

METHODS

We recorded propidium-iodine-stained fetal and adult cartilage explants, arranged stages of organization into a sequence, and created a lifetime-summarizing SCSO model. To replicate the OA-associated dynamics revealed by our model, and to test our hypothesis, we transduced specifically early OA-explants with hFGF-2 for inducing proliferation. The PCM was examined using immuno- and auto-fluorescence, multiphoton second-harmonic-generation (SHG), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

RESULTS

Spatial organization evolved from fetal homogeneity, peaked with adult string-like arrangements, but was completely lost in OA. Loss of organization included PCM perforation (local micro-fibrillar collagen intensity decrease) and destruction [regional collagen type VI (CollVI) signal weakness or absence]. Importantly, both loss of organization and PCM destruction were successfully recapitulated in FGF-2-transduced explants.

CONCLUSION

Induced proliferation of spatially characterized early OA-chondrocytes within standardized explants recapitulated the full range of loss of SCSO and PCM destruction, introducing a novel in vitro methodology. This methodology induces a structural phenotype of human cartilage that is similar to advanced OA and potentially of significance and utility.

Differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells for cartilage tissue engineering: Individual and synergetic effects of three-dimensional environment and mechanical loading

Chondrogenesis of dedifferentiated chondrocytes and mesenchymal stem cells is influenced not only by soluble molecules like growth factors, but also by the cell environment itself. The latter is achieved through both mechanical cues - which act as stimulation factor and influences nutrient transport - and adhesion to extracellular matrix cues - which determine cell shape. Although the effects of soluble molecules and cell environment have been intensively addressed, few observations and conclusions about the interaction between the two have been achieved. In this work, we review the state of the art on the single effects between mechanical and biochemical cues, as well as on the combination of the two. Furthermore, we provide a discussion on the techniques currently used to determine the mechanical properties of materials and tissues generated in vitro, their limitations and the future research needs to properly address the identified problems.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

The importance of biomechanical cues in chondrogenesis is well known. This paper reviews the existing literature on the effect of mechanical stimulation on chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in order to regenerate hyaline cartilage. Contradictory results found with respect to the effect of different modes of external loading can be explained by the different properties of the scaffolding system that holds the cells, which determine cell adhesion and morphology and spatial distribution of cells, as well as the stress transmission to the cells. Thus, this review seeks to provide an insight into the interplay between external loading program and scaffold properties during chondrogenic differentiation. The review of the literature reveals an important gap in the knowledge in this field and encourages new experimental studies. The main issue is that in each of the few cases in which the interplay is investigated, just two groups of scaffolds are compared, leaving intermediate adhesion conditions out of study. The authors propose broader studies implementing new high-throughput techniques for mechanical characterization of tissue engineering constructs and the inclusion of fatigue analysis as support methodology to more exhaustive mechanical characterization.

Articular cartilage: from formation to tissue engineering

Hyaline cartilage is the nonlinear, inhomogeneous, anisotropic, poro-viscoelastic connective tissue that serves as friction-reducing and load-bearing cushion in synovial joints and is vital for mammalian skeletal movements. Due to its avascular nature, low cell density, low proliferative activity and the tendency of chondrocytes to de-differentiate, cartilage cannot regenerate after injury, wear and tear, or degeneration through common diseases such as osteoarthritis. Therefore severe damage usually requires surgical intervention. Current clinical strategies to generate new tissue include debridement, microfracture, autologous chondrocyte transplantation, and mosaicplasty. While articular cartilage was predicted to be one of the first tissues to be successfully engineered, it proved to be challenging to reproduce the complex architecture and biomechanical properties of the native tissue. Despite significant research efforts, only a limited number of studies have evolved up to the clinical trial stage. This review article summarizes the current state of cartilage tissue engineering in the context of relevant biological aspects, such as the formation and growth of hyaline cartilage, its composition, structure and biomechanical properties. Special attention is given to materials development, scaffold designs, fabrication methods, and template-cell interactions, which are of great importance to the structure and functionality of the engineered tissue.

Effects of vimentin disruption on the mechanoresponses of articular chondrocyte

Human articular cartilage is subjected to repetitive mechanical loading during life time. As the only cellular component of articular cartilage, chondrocytes play a key role in the mechanotransduction within this tissue. The mechanoresponses of chondrocytes are largely determined by the cytoskeleton. Vimentin intermediate filaments, one of the major cytoskeletal components, have been shown to regulate chondrocyte phenotype. However, the contribution of vimentin in chondrocyte mechanoresponses remains less studied. In this study, we seeded goat articular chondrocytes on a soft polyacrylamide gel, and disrupted the vimentin cytoskeleton using acrylamide. Then we applied a transient stretch or compression to the cells, and measured the changes of cellular stiffness and traction forces using Optical Magnetic Twisting Cytometry and Traction Force Microscopy, respectively. In addition, to study the effects of vimentin disruption on the intracellular force generation, we treated the cells with a variety of reagents that are known to increase or decrease cytoskeletal tension. We found that, after a compression, the contractile moment and cellular stiffness were not affected in untreated chondrocytes, but were decreased in vimentin-disrupted chondrocytes; after a stretch, vimentin-disrupted chondrocytes showed a lower level of fluidization-resolidification response compared to untreated cells. Moreover, vimentin-disrupted chondrocytes didn't show much difference to control cells in responding to reagents that target actin and ROCK pathway, but showed a weaker response to histamine and isoproterenol. These findings confirmed chondrocyte vimentin as a major contributor in withstanding compressive loading, and its minor role in regulating cytoskeletal tension.

Biomimetic biphasic scaffolds for osteochondral defect repair

The osteochondral defects caused by vigorous trauma or physical disease are difficult to be managed. Tissue engineering provides a possible option to regenerate the damaged osteochondral tissues. For osteochondral reconstruction, one intact scaffold should be considered to support the regeneration of both cartilage and subchondral bone. Therefore, the biphasic scaffolds with the mimic structures of osteochondral tissues have been developed to close this chasm. A variety of biomimetic bilayer scaffolds fabricated from natural or synthetic polymers, or the ones loading with growth factors, cells, or both of them make great progresses in osteochondral defect repair. In this review, the preparation and in vitro and/or in vivo verification of bioinspired biphasic scaffolds are summarized and discussed, as well as the prospect is predicted.

The role of extracellular matrix elasticity and composition in regulating the nucleus pulposus cell phenotype in the intervertebral disc: a narrative review

Intervertebral disc (IVD) disorders are a major contributor to disability and societal health care costs. Nucleus pulposus (NP) cells of the IVD exhibit changes in both phenotype and morphology with aging-related IVD degeneration that may impact the onset and progression of IVD pathology. Studies have demonstrated that immature NP cell interactions with their extracellular matrix (ECM) may be key regulators of cellular phenotype, metabolism and morphology. The objective of this article is to review our recent experience with studies of NP cell-ECM interactions that reveal how ECM cues can be manipulated to promote an immature NP cell phenotype and morphology. Findings demonstrate the importance of a soft (&lt;700 Pa), laminin-containing ECM in regulating healthy, immature NP cells. Knowledge of NP cell-ECM interactions can be used for development of tissue engineering or cell delivery strategies to treat IVD-related disorders.

How best to preserve and reveal the structural intricacies of cartilaginous tissue

No single processing technique is capable of optimally preserving each and all of the structural entities of cartilaginous tissue. Hence, the choice of methodology must necessarily be governed by the nature of the component that is targeted for analysis, for example, fibrillar collagens or proteoglycans within the extracellular matrix, or the chondrocytes themselves. This article affords an insight into the pitfalls that are to be encountered when implementing the available techniques and how best to circumvent them. Adult articular cartilage is taken as a representative pars pro toto of the different bodily types. In mammals, this layer of tissue is a component of the synovial joints, wherein it fulfills crucial and diverse biomechanical functions. The biomechanical functions of articular cartilage have their structural and molecular correlates. During the natural course of postnatal development and after the onset of pathological disease processes, such as osteoarthritis, the tissue undergoes structural changes which are intimately reflected in biomechanical modulations. The fine structural intricacies that subserve the changes in tissue function can be accurately assessed only if they are faithfully preserved at the molecular level. For this reason, a careful consideration of the tissue-processing technique is indispensable. Since, as aforementioned, no single methodological tool is capable of optimally preserving all constituents, the approach must be pre-selected with a targeted structure in view. Guidance in this choice is offered.

Micromechanical response of articular cartilage to tensile load measured using nonlinear microscopy

Articular cartilage (AC) is a highly anisotropic biomaterial, and its complex mechanical properties have been a topic of intense investigation for over 60 years. Recent advances in the field of nonlinear optics allow the individual constituents of AC to be imaged in living tissue without the need for exogenous contrast agents. Combining mechanical testing with nonlinear microscopy provides a wealth of information about microscopic responses to load. This work investigates the inhomogeneous distribution of strain in loaded AC by tracking the movement and morphological changes of individual chondrocytes using point pattern matching and Bayesian modeling. This information can be used to inform models of mechanotransduction and pathogenesis, and is readily extendable to various other connective tissues.

The effect of compressive loading magnitude on in situ chondrocyte calcium signaling

Chondrocyte metabolism is stimulated by deformation and is associated with structural changes in the cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM), suggesting that these cells are involved in maintaining tissue health and integrity. Calcium signaling is an initial step in chondrocyte mechanotransduction that has been linked to many cellular processes. Previous studies using isolated chondrocytes proposed loading magnitude as an important factor regulating this response. However, calcium signaling in the intact cartilage differs compared to isolated cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of loading magnitude on chondrocyte calcium signaling in intact cartilage. We hypothesized that the percentage of cells exhibiting at least one calcium signal increases with increasing load. Fully intact rabbit femoral condyle and patellar bone/cartilage samples were incubated in calcium-sensitive dyes and imaged continuously under compressive loads of 10-40 % strain. Calcium signaling was primarily associated with the dynamic loading phase and greatly increased beyond a threshold deformation of about 10 % nominal tissue strain. There was a trend toward more cells exhibiting calcium signaling as loading magnitude increased (p = 0.133). These results provide novel information toward identifying mechanisms underlying calcium-dependent signaling pathways related to cartilage homeostasis and possibly the onset and progression of osteoarthritis.

Mouse models of osteoarthritis: modelling risk factors and assessing outcomes

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent musculoskeletal disease that results in pain and low quality of life for patients, as well as enormous medical and socioeconomic burdens. The molecular mechanisms responsible for the initiation and progression of OA are still poorly understood. As such, mouse models of the disease are having increasingly important roles in OA research owing to the advancements of microsurgical techniques and the use of genetically modified mice, as well as the development of novel assessment tools. In this Review, we discuss available mouse models of OA and applicable assessment tools in studies of experimental OA.

A multiscale approach to modeling the passive mechanical contribution of cells in tissues

In addition to their obvious biological roles in tissue function, cells often play a significant mechanical role through a combination of passive and active behaviors. This study focused on the passive mechanical contribution of cells in tissues by improving our multiscale model via the addition of cells, which were treated as dilute spherical inclusions. The first set of simulations considered a rigid cell, with the surrounding ECM modeled as (1) linear elastic, (2) Neo-Hookean, and (3) a fiber network. Comparison with the classical composite theory for rigid inclusions showed close agreement at low cell volume fraction. The fiber network case exhibited nonlinear stress-strain behavior and Poisson's ratios larger than the elastic limit of 0.5, characteristics similar to those of biological tissues. The second set of simulations used a fiber network for both the cell (simulating cytoskeletal filaments) and matrix, and investigated the effect of varying relative stiffness between the cell and matrix, as well as the effect of a cytoplasmic pressure to enforce incompressibility of the cell. Results showed that the ECM network exerted negligible compression on the cell, even when the stiffness of fibers in the network was increased relative to the cell. Introduction of a cytoplasmic pressure significantly increased the stresses in the cell filament network, and altered how the cell changed its shape under tension. Findings from this study have implications on understanding how cells interact with their surrounding ECM, as well as in the context of mechanosensation.

Equine articular chondrocytes on MACT scaffolds for cartilage defect treatment

Treatment of cartilage defects poses challenging problems in human and veterinary medicine, especially in horses. This study examines the suitability of applying scaffold materials similar to those used for human cartilage regeneration on equine chondrocytes. Chondrocytes gained from biopsies of the talocrural joint of three horses were propagated in 2D culture and grown on two different scaffold materials, hyaluronan (HYAFF®) and collagen (BioGide®), and evaluated by light and electron microscopy. The equine chondrocytes developed well in both types of materials. They were vital and physiologically highly active. On the surface of the scaffolds, they formed cell multilayers. Inside the hyaluronan web, the chondrocytes were regularly distributed and spanned the large scaffold fibre distances by producing their own matrix sheath. Half-circle-like depressions occasionally found in the cell membrane were probably related to movement on the flexible matrix sheath. Inside the dense collagen scaffold, only single cells were found. They passed through the scaffold strands by cell shape adaptation. This study showed that the examined scaffold materials can be used for equine chondrocyte cultivation. Chondrocytes tend to form multilayers on the surface of both, very dense and very porous scaffolds, and have strategies to span between and move in large gaps.

TGF-ß1 enhances the BMP-2-induced chondrogenesis of bovine synovial explants and arrests downstream differentiation at an early stage of hypertrophy

Background

Synovial explants furnish an in-situ population of mesenchymal stem cells for the repair of articular cartilage. Although bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) induces the chondrogenesis of bovine synovial explants, the cartilage formed is neither homogeneously distributed nor of an exclusively hyaline type. Furthermore, the downstream differentiation of chondrocytes proceeds to the stage of terminal hypertrophy, which is inextricably coupled with undesired matrix mineralization. With a view to optimizing BMP-2-induced chondrogenesis, the modulating influences of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1) were investigated.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Explants of bovine calf metacarpal synovium were exposed to BMP-2 (200 ng/ml) for 4 (or 6) weeks. FGF-2 (10 ng/ml) or TGF-ß1 (10 ng/ml) was introduced at the onset of incubation and was present either during the first week of culturing alone or throughout its entire course. FGF-2 enhanced the BMP-2-induced increase in metachromatic staining for glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) only when it was present during the first week of culturing alone. TGF-ß1 enhanced not only the BMP-2-induced increase in metachromasia (to a greater degree than FGF-2), but also the biochemically-assayed accumulation of GAGs, when it was present throughout the entire culturing period; in addition, it arrested the downstream differentiation of cells at an early stage of hypertrophy. These findings were corroborated by an analysis of the gene- and protein-expression levels of key cartilaginous markers and by an estimation of individual cell volume.

Conclusions/Significance

TGF-ß1 enhances the BMP-2-induced chondrogenesis of bovine synovial explants, improves the hyaline-like properties of the neocartilage, and arrests the downstream differentiation of cells at an early stage of hypertrophy. With the prospect of engineering a mature, truly articular type of cartilage in the context of clinical repair, our findings will be of importance in fine-tuning the stimulation protocol for the optimal chondrogenic differentiation of synovial explants.

Osteochondral tissue engineering: current strategies and challenges

Osteochondral defect management and repair remain a significant challenge in orthopedic surgery. Osteochondral defects contain damage to both the articular cartilage as well as the underlying subchondral bone. In order to repair an osteochondral defect the needs of the bone, cartilage and the bone-cartilage interface must be taken into account. Current clinical treatments for the repair of osteochondral defects have only been palliative, not curative. Tissue engineering has emerged as a potential alternative as it can be effectively used to regenerate bone, cartilage and the bone-cartilage interface. Several scaffold strategies, such as single phase, layered, and recently graded structures have been developed and evaluated for osteochondral defect repair. Also, as a potential cell source, tissue specific cells and progenitor cells are widely studied in cell culture models, as well with the osteochondral scaffolds in vitro and in vivo. Novel factor strategies being developed, including single factor, multi-factor, or controlled factor release in a graded fashion, not only assist bone and cartilage regeneration, but also establish osteochondral interface formation. The field of tissue engineering has made great strides, however further research needs to be carried out to make this strategy a clinical reality. In this review, we summarize current tissue engineering strategies, including scaffold design, bioreactor use, as well as cell and factor based approaches and recent developments for osteochondral defect repair. In addition, we discuss various challenges that need to be addressed in years to come.

Strategic design and fabrication of engineered scaffolds for articular cartilage repair

Damage to articular cartilage can eventually lead to osteoarthritis (OA), a debilitating, degenerative joint disease that affects millions of people around the world. The limited natural healing ability of cartilage and the limitations of currently available therapies make treatment of cartilage defects a challenging clinical issue. Hopes have been raised for the repair of articular cartilage with the help of supportive structures, called scaffolds, created through tissue engineering (TE). Over the past two decades, different designs and fabrication techniques have been investigated for developing TE scaffolds suitable for the construction of transplantable artificial cartilage tissue substitutes. Advances in fabrication technologies now enable the strategic design of scaffolds with complex, biomimetic structures and properties. In particular, scaffolds with hybrid and/or biomimetic zonal designs have recently been developed for cartilage tissue engineering applications. This paper reviews critical aspects of the design of engineered scaffolds for articular cartilage repair as well as the available advanced fabrication techniques. In addition, recent studies on the design of hybrid and zonal scaffolds for use in cartilage tissue repair are highlighted.

Chondrocyte deformation under extreme tissue strain in two regions of the rabbit knee joint

Articular cartilage and its native cells-chondrocytes-are exposed to a wide range of mechanical loading. Chondrocytes are responsible for maintaining the cartilage matrix, yet relatively little is known regarding their behavior under a complete range of mechanical loads or how cell mechanics are affected by region within the joint. The purpose of this study was to investigate chondrocyte deformations in situ under tissue loads ranging from physiological to extreme (0-80% nominal strain) in two regions of the rabbit knee joint (femoral condyles and patellae). Local matrix strains and cell compressive strains increased with increasing loads. At low loads the extracellular matrix (ECM) strains in the superficial zone were greater than the applied tissue strains, while at extreme loads, the local ECM strains were smaller than the applied strains. Cell compressive strains were always smaller than the applied tissue strains and, in our intact, in situ preparation, were substantially smaller than those previously found in hemi-cylindrical explants. This resulted in markedly different steady-state cell volume changes in the current study compared to those working with cartilage explants. Additionally, cells from different regions in the knee exhibited striking differences in deformation behavior under load. The current results suggest: (i) that the local extracellular and pericellular matrix environment is intimately linked to chondrocyte mechanobiology, protecting chondrocytes from potentially damaging strains at high tissue loads; and (ii) that cell mechanics are a function of applied load and local cartilage tissue structure.

Differential limb loading in miniature pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus): a test of chondral modeling theory

Variation in mechanical loading is known to influence chondrogenesis during joint formation. However, the interaction among chondrocyte behavior and variation in activity patterns is incompletely understood, hindering our knowledge of limb ontogeny and function. Here, the role of endurance exercise in the development of articular and physeal cartilage in the humeral head was examined in 14 miniature swine (Sus scrofa domesticus). One group was subjected to graded treadmill running over a period of 17 weeks. A matched sedentary group was confined to individual pens. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed for histomorphometry of cartilage zone thickness, chondrocyte count and cell area, with these parameters compared multivariately between exercised and sedentary groups. Comparisons were also made with femora from the same sample, focusing on humerus-femur differences between exercised and sedentary groups, within-cohort comparisons of humerus-femur responses and correlated changes within and across joints. This study shows conflicting support for the chondral modeling theory. The humeral articular cartilage of exercised pigs was thinner than that of sedentary pigs, but their physeal cartilage was thicker. While articular and physeal cartilage demonstrated between-cohort differences, humeral physeal cartilage exhibited load-induced responses of greater magnitude than humeral articular cartilage. Controlling for cohort, the humerus showed increased chondrocyte mitosis and cell area, presumably due to relatively greater loading than the femur. This represents the first known effort to evaluate chondral modeling across multiple joints from the same individuals. Our findings suggest the chondral response to elevated loading is complex, varying within and among joints. This has important implications for understanding joint biomechanics and development.

Structural and functional maturation of distal femoral cartilage and bone during postnatal development and growth in humans and mice

The size and shape of joints markedly affect their biomechanical properties, but the macroscopic 3-dimensional (3-D) mechanism and extent of cartilage and joint maturation during normal growth are largely unknown. This study qualitatively illustrates the development of the bone-cartilage interface in the knee during postnatal growth in humans and C57BL/6 wild-type mice, quantitatively defines the 3-D shape using statistical shape modeling, and assesses growth strain rates in the mouse distal femur. Accurate quantification of the cartilage-bone interface geometry is imperative for furthering the understanding of the macroscopic mechanisms of cartilage maturation and overall joint development.

Cell Seeding Densities in Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation Techniques for Cartilage Repair

Cartilage repair techniques have been among the most intensively investigated treatments in orthopedics for the past decade, and several different treatment modalities are currently available. Despite the extensive research effort within this field, the generation of hyaline cartilage remains a considerable challenge. There are many parameters attendant to each of the cartilage repair techniques that can affect the amount and types of reparative tissue generated in the cartilage defect, and some of the most fundamental of these parameters have yet to be fully investigated. For procedures in which in vitro-cultured autologous chondrocytes are implanted under a periosteal or synthetic membrane cover, or seeded onto a porous membrane or scaffold, little is known about how the number of cells affects the clinical outcome. Few published clinical studies address the cell seeding density that was employed. The principal objective of this review is to provide an overview of the cell seeding densities used in cell-based treatments currently available in the clinic for cartilage repair. Select preclinical studies that have informed the use of specific cell seeding densities in the clinic are also discussed.

ASSESSMENT OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL ARCHITECTURE OF COLLAGEN FIBERS IN THE SUPERFICIAL ZONE OF BOVINE ARTICULAR CARTILAGE

The aim of this study is to investigate the structure and the collagen matrix of the superficial zone of articular cartilage using a 3D imaging technique. The split line thought to represent the orientation of the collagen fibres in the superficial zone was found using Hultkrantz's method. A semitransparent membrane was physically peeled off from the most superficial surface of bovine articular cartilage. Using fibre optic laser scanning confocal microscopy, the collagen matrix in normal cartilage, the membrane and the cartilage with the membrane peeled off were studied. The superficial zone was found to contain a more sophisticated 3D collagenous matrix than previously reported. The collagen matrix in the membrane consists of interwoven long collagen bundles, and the collagen fibres immediately subjacent to it align spatially in a predominantly oblique direction to the articular surface. The split line does not represent the orientation of the collagen in the membrane. This study presents a 3D visualization technique for a minimal-invasive examination of the 3D architecture of the collagen fibres in the superficial zone of articular cartilage, and offers a new insight into the 3D structure of the collagen matrix in the superficial zone of native cartilage.

ISSUES AND ADVANCES IN THE EARLY STAGE DIAGNOSIS OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

With the progress of localized treatment procedures such as unicompartmental knee replacement, chondrocyte implantation and osteochondral grafting, it has become important to develop a means of assessing early stage cartilage and bone degradation. This review outlines the recent advances in arthroscopic tools, and discusses the major problems and issues faced in developing effective assessment methods. The central problem in joint tissue assessment is to discriminate degradation from the wide variation in normal tissue. This discrimination, however, is far from being realized by current methodologies, and is compounded by the difficulty in correlating structural features with pain and mobility in the joint. In response to these findings, an argument is provided for a new direction in quantitative tissue evaluation using an integrated chemical, structural, and functional approach, and the importance of structure–function–pain relationships.

Bupivacaine and triamcinolone may be toxic to human chondrocytes: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Intraarticular injections of corticosteroids combined with local anesthetics are commonly used for management of chronic pain symptoms associated with degenerative joint diseases and after arthroscopic procedures. Several studies suggest chondrotoxicity of local anesthetics whereas others report chondroprotective and cytotoxic effects of corticosteroids on cartilage. Given the frequency of use of these agents, it is important to know whether they are in fact toxic.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

We asked whether (1) bupivacaine and triamcinolone acetonide, alone and combined, were chondrotoxic to chondrocytes in culture; (2) buffering of the reagents diminished toxicity of the bupivacaine and triamcinolone; and (3) the presence of the superficial layer of articular cartilage protects against toxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We obtained cartilage from three patients undergoing arthroplasty. To address triamcinolone acetonide, bupivacaine, and combinatorial toxicity to human chondrocytes, we set up monolayer chondrocyte cultures (n = 8 wells per condition). The question of buffering was addressed by performing the same assays as above, but the reagents were buffered. An MTT assay was used to assess chondrocyte survival in the monolayer. We harvested 21 articular plugs from each of three patients (total 63 plugs) and exposed them to the same reagents as above, including the buffered reagents. A Live/Dead assay was used to determine chondrocyte survival.

RESULTS

Triamcinolone acetonide, bupivacaine, and their combination were toxic to human chondrocytes in the monolayer comparisons. The addition of buffering did not mitigate chondrocyte death. With the intact superficial layer in the plug group, bupivacaine was not toxic as compared with for the control group; all the other reagents (triamcinolone, combination bupivacaine/triamcinolone, buffered bupivacaine, buffered triamcinolone, and buffered combination) produced chondrotoxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Triamcinolone induced chondrotoxicity in the articular plug and monolayer culture, whereas bupivacaine induced chondrotoxicity only in monolayer culture. The combined used of triamcinolone and bupivacaine did not show additive chondrocyte death in any arm. Buffering of bupivacaine increased its chondrotoxicity.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Although not necessarily reflecting in vivo conditions, our data suggest physicians should be cognizant of the potential in vitro chondrotoxicity of bupivacaine and triamcinolone when contemplating intraarticular administration.

Effect of initial cell seeding density on 3D-engineered silk fibroin scaffolds for articular cartilage tissue engineering

The repair of articular cartilage defects poses a continuing challenge. Cartilage tissue engineering through the culture of chondrocytes seeded in 3D porous scaffolds has the potential for generating constructs that repair successfully. It also provides a platform to study scaffold-cell and cell-cell interactions. The scaffold affects the growth and morphology of cells growing on it, and concomitantly, cells affect the properties of the resultant tissue construct. Silk fibroin protein from Antheraea mylitta, a non-mulberry Indian tropical tasar silkworm, is a potential biomaterial for diverse applications due to its widespread versatility as a mechanically robust, biocompatible, tissue engineering material. Analysis of silk fibroin scaffolds seeded with varying initial densities (25, 50 and 100 million cells/ml) and cultured for 2 weeks showed that thickness and wet weight increased by 60-70% for the highest cell density, and DNA, GAG and collagen content of the cartilaginous constructs increased with increasing cell density. Mechanical characterization of the constructs elucidated that the highest density constructs had compressive stiffness and modulus 4-5 times that of cell-free scaffolds. The present results indicate the importance of cell seeding density in the rapid formation of a functional cartilaginous tissue.

Hydrogels for the repair of articular cartilage defects

The repair of articular cartilage defects remains a significant challenge in orthopedic medicine. Hydrogels, three-dimensional polymer networks swollen in water, offer a unique opportunity to generate a functional cartilage substitute. Hydrogels can exhibit similar mechanical, swelling, and lubricating behavior to articular cartilage, and promote the chondrogenic phenotype by encapsulated cells. Hydrogels have been prepared from naturally derived and synthetic polymers, as cell-free implants and as tissue engineering scaffolds, and with controlled degradation profiles and release of stimulatory growth factors. Using hydrogels, cartilage tissue has been engineered in vitro that has similar mechanical properties to native cartilage. This review summarizes the advancements that have been made in determining the potential of hydrogels to replace damaged cartilage or support new tissue formation as a function of specific design parameters, such as the type of polymer, degradation profile, mechanical properties and loading regimen, source of cells, cell-seeding density, controlled release of growth factors, and strategies to cause integration with surrounding tissue. Some key challenges for clinical translation remain, including limited information on the mechanical properties of hydrogel implants or engineered tissue that are necessary to restore joint function, and the lack of emphasis on the ability of an implant to integrate in a stable way with the surrounding tissue. Future studies should address the factors that affect these issues, while using clinically relevant cell sources and rigorous models of repair.

Cartilage viability and catabolism in the intact porcine knee following transarticular impact loading with and without articular fracture

Posttraumatic arthritis commonly develops following articular fracture. The objective of this study was to develop a closed joint model of transarticular impact with and without creation of an articular fracture that maintains the physiologic environment during loading. Fresh intact porcine knees were preloaded and impacted at 294 J via a drop track. Osteochondral cores were obtained from the medial and lateral aspects of the femoral condyles and tibial plateau. Chondrocyte viability was assessed at days 0, 3, and 5 postimpact in sham, impacted nonfractured, and impacted fractured joints. Total matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, aggrecanase (ADAMTS-4) activity, and sulfated glycosaminoglycan (S-GAG) release were measured in culture media from days 3 and 5 posttrauma. No differences were observed in chondrocyte viability of impacted nonfractured joints (95.9 ± 6.9%) when compared to sham joints (93.8 ± 7.7%). In impacted fractured joints, viability of the fractured edge was 40.5 ± 27.6% and significantly lower than all other sites, including cartilage adjacent to the fractured edge (p < 0.001). MMP and aggrecanase activity and S-GAG release were significantly increased in specimens from the fractured edge. This study showed that joint impact resulting in articular fracture significantly decreased chondrocyte viability, increased production of MMPs and aggrecanases, and enhanced S-GAG release, whereas the same level of impact without fracture did not cause such changes.

Orientation of primary cilia of articular chondrocytes in three-dimensional space

Primary cilia have functions as sensory organelles integral to signal transduction and establishment of cell polarity. In articular cartilage the primary cilium has been hypothesized to function as an antenna to sense the biomechanical environment, regulate the secretion of extracellular matrix components, and maintain cellular positional information, leading to high tissue anisotropy. We used analysis of electron microscopy serial sections to demonstrate positional attributes of the primary cilium of adult equine articular chondrocytes in situ. Data for ~500 axonemes, comparing superficial to radiate chondrocytes from both load-bearing and non-load-bearing regions, were graphed using spherical co-ordinates θ, φ. The data demonstrate the axoneme has a definable orientation in 3D space differing in superficial and radiate zone chondrocytes, cells that differ by 90° in the orientation of their major axes to the articular surface. Axonemal orientation is more definable in load-bearing than in non-load-bearing areas. The position of emergence of the axoneme from the cell also is variable. In load-bearing regions of the superficial zone, extension of the axoneme is from the cellular side facing the subchondral bone. In radiate zone cells, axonemes extend from either face of the chondrocyte, that is, both toward the articular surface or toward the subchondral bone. In non-load-bearing regions this consistency is lost. These observations relate to current hypotheses concerning establishment of tissue anisotropy in articular cartilage during development, involving both migration of cells from the joint periphery and a restricted zone of division within the tissue resulting in the columnar arrangement of radiate zone cells.

Vimentin contributes to changes in chondrocyte stiffness in osteoarthritis

Actin and tubulin cytoskeletal components are studied extensively in chondrocytes, but less is known about vimentin intermediate filaments. In other cell types, vimentin is a determinant of cell stiffness and disruption of vimentin networks weakens the mechanical integrity of cells. Changes in vimentin organization correlate with osteoarthritis progression, but the functional consequences of these changes remain undetermined in chondrocytes. The objective of this study was to compare the contribution of vimentin to the mechanical stiffness of primary human chondrocytes isolated from normal versus osteoarthritic cartilage. Chondrocytes were embedded in alginate and vimentin networks disrupted with acrylamide. Constructs were imaged while subjected to 20% nominal strain on a confocal microscope stage, and the aspect ratios of approximately 1,900 cells were measured. Cytosolic stiffness was estimated with a finite element model, and live-cell imaging of GFP-vimentin was used to further analyze the nature of vimentin disruption. Vimentin in normal chondrocytes formed an inner cage-like network that was substantially stiffer than the rest of the cytosol and contributed significantly to overall cellular stiffness. Disruption of vimentin reduced stiffness approximately 2.8-fold in normal chondrocytes. In contrast, osteoarthritic chondrocytes were less stiff and less affected by vimentin disruption. This 3D experimental system revealed contributions of vimentin to chondrocyte stiffness previously not apparent, and correlated changes in vimentin-based chondrocyte stiffness with osteoarthritis.

Adult bone marrow stromal cell-based tissue-engineered aggrecan exhibits ultrastructure and nanomechanical properties superior to native cartilage

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the structural characteristics and nanomechanical properties of aggrecan produced by adult bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in peptide hydrogel scaffolds and compare to aggrecan from adult articular cartilage.

DESIGN

Adult equine BMSCs were encapsulated in 3D-peptide hydrogels and cultured for 21 days with TGF-β1 to induce chondrogenic differentiation. BMSC-aggrecan was extracted and compared with aggrecan from age-matched adult equine articular cartilage. Single molecules of aggrecan were visualized by atomic force microscopy-based imaging and aggrecan nanomechanical stiffness was quantified by high resolution force microscopy. Population-averaged measures of aggrecan hydrodynamic size, core protein structures and CS sulfation compositions were determined by size-exclusion chromatography, Western analysis, and fluorescence-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis (FACE).

RESULTS

BMSC-aggrecan was primarily full-length while cartilage-aggrecan had many fragments. Single molecule measurements showed that core protein and GAG chains of BMSC-aggrecan were markedly longer than those of cartilage-aggrecan. Comparing full-length aggrecan of both species, BMSC-aggrecan had longer GAG chains, while the core protein trace lengths were similar. FACE analysis detected a ∼ 1:1 ratio of chondroitin-4-sulfate to chondroitin-6-sulfate in BMSC-GAG, a phenotype consistent with aggrecan from skeletally-immature cartilage. The nanomechanical stiffness of BMSC-aggrecan was demonstrably greater than that of cartilage-aggrecan at the same total sGAG (fixed charge) density.

CONCLUSIONS

The higher proportion of full-length monomers, longer GAG chains and greater stiffness of the BMSC-aggrecan makes it biomechanically superior to adult cartilage-aggrecan. Aggrecan stiffness was not solely dependent on fixed charge density, but also on GAG molecular ultrastructure. These results support the use of adult BMSCs for cell-based cartilage repair.

The OARSI histopathology initiative - recommendations for histological assessments of osteoarthritis in the rabbit

AIM

The primary goal of this body of work is to suggest a standardized system for histopathological assessment of experimental surgical instability models of osteoarthritis (OA) in rabbits, building on past experience, to achieve comparability of studies from different centres. An additional objective is to review methodologies that have been employed in the past for assessing OA in rabbits with particular reference to the surgical anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) model.

METHODS

A panel of scientists and clinician-scientists with recognized expertise in assessing rabbit models of OA reviewed the literature to provide a critical appraisal of the methods that have been employed to assess both macroscopic and microscopic changes occurring in rabbit joint tissues in experimental OA. In addition, a validation of the proposed histologic histochemical grading system was performed.

RESULTS

The ACLT variant of the surgical instability model in skeletally mature rabbits is the variation most capable of reproducing the entire range of cartilage, synovial and bone lesions recognized to be associated with OA. These lesions can be semiquantitatively graded using macroscopic and microscopic techniques. Further, as well as cartilage lesions, this ACLT model can produce synovial and bone lesions similar to that of human OA.

CONCLUSIONS

The ACLT variant of the surgical instability model in rabbits is a reproducible and effective model of OA. The cartilage lesions in this model and their response to therapy can be graded according to an adapted histological and histochemical grading system, though also this system is to some extent subjective and, thus, neither objective nor entirely reproducible.