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Arora D, Taneja Y, Sharma A, Dhingra A, Guarve K. Role of Apoptosis in the Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis: An Explicative Review. Curr Rheumatol Rev 2024; 20:2-13. [PMID: 37670694 DOI: 10.2174/1573397119666230904150741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Apoptosis is a complex regulatory, active cell death process that plays a role in cell development, homeostasis, and ageing. Cancer, developmental defects, and degenerative diseases are all pathogenic disorders caused by apoptosis dysregulation. Osteoarthritis (OA) is by far the most frequently diagnosed joint disease in the aged, and it is characterized by the ongoing breakdown of articular cartilage, which causes severe disability. Multiple variables regulate the anabolic and catabolic pathways of the cartilage matrix, which either directly or indirectly contribute to cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis. Articular cartilage is a highly specialized tissue made up of an extracellular matrix of cells that are tightly packed together. As a result, chondrocyte survival is crucial for the preservation of an optimal cartilage matrix, and chondrocyte characteristics and survival compromise may result in articular cartilage failure. Inflammatory cytokines can either promote or inhibit apoptosis, the process of programmed cell death. Pro-apoptotic cytokines like TNF-α can induce cell death, while anti-apoptotic cytokines like IL-4 and IL-10 protect against apoptosis. The balance between these cytokines plays a critical role in determining cell fate and has implications for tissue damage and disease progression. Similarly, they contribute to the progression of OA by disrupting the metabolic balance in joint tissues by promoting catabolic and anabolic pathways. Their impact on cell joints, as well as the impacts of cell signalling pathways on cytokines and inflammatory substances, determines their function in osteoarthritis development. Apoptosis is evident in osteoarthritic cartilage; however, determining the relative role of chondrocyte apoptosis in the aetiology of OA is difficult, and the rate of apoptotic chondrocytes in osteoarthritic cartilage is inconsistent. The current study summarises the role of apoptosis in the development of osteoarthritis, the mediators, and signalling pathways that trigger the cascade of events, and the other inflammatory features involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepshi Arora
- Department of Pharmacy, Guru Gobind Singh College of Pharmacy, Yamuna Nagar, Haryana, 135001, India
| | - Yugam Taneja
- Zeon Lifesciences, Paonta Sahib, Himachal Pradesh, 173025, India
| | - Anjali Sharma
- Department of Pharmacy, Guru Gobind Singh College of Pharmacy, Yamuna Nagar, Haryana, 135001, India
| | - Ashwani Dhingra
- Department of Pharmacy, Guru Gobind Singh College of Pharmacy, Yamuna Nagar, Haryana, 135001, India
| | - Kumar Guarve
- Department of Pharmacy, Guru Gobind Singh College of Pharmacy, Yamuna Nagar, Haryana, 135001, India
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2
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Kurz B, Lange T, Voelker M, Hart ML, Rolauffs B. Articular Cartilage-From Basic Science Structural Imaging to Non-Invasive Clinical Quantitative Molecular Functional Information for AI Classification and Prediction. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14974. [PMID: 37834422 PMCID: PMC10573252 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This review presents the changes that the imaging of articular cartilage has undergone throughout the last decades. It highlights that the expectation is no longer to image the structure and associated functions of articular cartilage but, instead, to devise methods for generating non-invasive, function-depicting images with quantitative information that is useful for detecting the early, pre-clinical stage of diseases such as primary or post-traumatic osteoarthritis (OA/PTOA). In this context, this review summarizes (a) the structure and function of articular cartilage as a molecular imaging target, (b) quantitative MRI for non-invasive assessment of articular cartilage composition, microstructure, and function with the current state of medical diagnostic imaging, (c), non-destructive imaging methods, (c) non-destructive quantitative articular cartilage live-imaging methods, (d) artificial intelligence (AI) classification of degeneration and prediction of OA progression, and (e) our contribution to this field, which is an AI-supported, non-destructive quantitative optical biopsy for early disease detection that operates on a digital tissue architectural fingerprint. Collectively, this review shows that articular cartilage imaging has undergone profound changes in the purpose and expectations for which cartilage imaging is used; the image is becoming an AI-usable biomarker with non-invasive quantitative functional information. This may aid in the development of translational diagnostic applications and preventive or early therapeutic interventions that are yet beyond our reach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bodo Kurz
- Department of Anatomy, Christian-Albrechts-University, Otto-Hahn-Platz 8, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Thomas Lange
- Medical Physics Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center—Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79085 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany;
| | - Marita Voelker
- G.E.R.N. Research Center for Tissue Replacement, Regeneration & Neogenesis, Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center—Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79085 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (M.V.); (M.L.H.)
| | - Melanie L. Hart
- G.E.R.N. Research Center for Tissue Replacement, Regeneration & Neogenesis, Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center—Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79085 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (M.V.); (M.L.H.)
| | - Bernd Rolauffs
- G.E.R.N. Research Center for Tissue Replacement, Regeneration & Neogenesis, Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center—Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79085 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (M.V.); (M.L.H.)
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3
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Ojanen SP, Finnilä MAJ, Herzog W, Saarakkala S, Korhonen RK, Rieppo L. Micro-computed Tomography-Based Collagen Orientation and Anisotropy Analysis of Rabbit Articular Cartilage. Ann Biomed Eng 2023:10.1007/s10439-023-03183-4. [PMID: 37005948 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-023-03183-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
The collagen network is the highly organized backbone of articular cartilage providing tissue tensile stiffness and restricting proteoglycan bleaching out of the tissue. Osteoarthritis (OA) diminishes proper collagen network adaptation. Our aim was to provide quantitative three-dimensional (3D) information of the cartilage collagen network adaptation in early osteoarthritis using high resolution micro-computed tomography (µCT)-imaging. Osteochondral samples from the femoral condyles were collected from healthy (N = 8, both legs) and experimental OA rabbit model with anterior cruciate ligament transection (N = 14, single leg). Samples were processed for cartilage µCT-imaging and histological evaluation with polarized light microscopy (PLM). Structure tensor analysis was used to analyse the collagen fibre orientation and anisotropy of the µCT-images, and PLM was used as a validation for structural changes. Depth-wise comparison of collagen fibre orientation acquired with µCT-imaging and PLM correlated well, but the values obtained with PLM were systematically greater than those measured with µCT-imaging. Structure tensor analysis allowed for 3D quantification of collagen network anisotropy. Finally, µCT-imaging revealed only minor differences between the control and experimental groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simo P Ojanen
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70210, Kuopio, Finland.
- Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Mikko A J Finnilä
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70210, Kuopio, Finland
- Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Walter Herzog
- Human Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Simo Saarakkala
- Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Rami K Korhonen
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70210, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Lassi Rieppo
- Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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4
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Evans LAE, Pitsillides AA. Structural clues to articular calcified cartilage function: A descriptive review of this crucial interface tissue. J Anat 2022; 241:875-895. [PMID: 35866709 PMCID: PMC9482704 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Articular calcified cartilage (ACC) has been dismissed, by some, as a remnant of endochondral ossification without functional relevance to joint articulation or weight-bearing. Recent research indicates that morphologic and metabolic ACC features may be important, reflecting knee joint osteoarthritis (OA) predisposition. ACC is less investigated than neighbouring joint tissues, with its component chondrocytes and mineralised matrix often being either ignored or integrated into analyses of hyaline articular cartilage and subchondral bone tissue respectively. Anatomical variation in ACC is recognised between species, individuals and age groups, but the selective pressures underlying this variation are unknown. Consequently, optimal ACC biomechanical features are also unknown as are any potential locomotory roles. This review collates descriptions of ACC anatomy and biology in health and disease, with a view to revealing its structure/function relationship and highlighting potential future research avenues. Mouse models of healthy and OA joint ageing have shown disparities in ACC load-induced deformations at the knee joint. This raises the hypothesis that ACC response to locomotor forces over time may influence, or even underlie, the bony and hyaline cartilage symptoms characteristic of OA. To effectively investigate the ACC, greater resolution of joint imaging and merging of hierarchical scale data will be required. An appreciation of OA as a 'whole joint disease' is expanding, as is the possibility that the ACC may be a key player in healthy ageing and in the transition to OA joint pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucinda A. E. Evans
- Department of Comparative Biomedical SciencesRoyal Veterinary College, University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Andrew A. Pitsillides
- Department of Comparative Biomedical SciencesRoyal Veterinary College, University of LondonLondonUK
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5
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Kurenkova AD, Romanova IA, Kibirskiy PD, Timashev P, Medvedeva EV. Strategies to Convert Cells into Hyaline Cartilage: Magic Spells for Adult Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911169. [PMID: 36232468 PMCID: PMC9570095 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Damaged hyaline cartilage gradually decreases joint function and growing pain significantly reduces the quality of a patient’s life. The clinically approved procedure of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) for treating knee cartilage lesions has several limits, including the absence of healthy articular cartilage tissues for cell isolation and difficulties related to the chondrocyte expansion in vitro. Today, various ACI modifications are being developed using autologous chondrocytes from alternative sources, such as the auricles, nose and ribs. Adult stem cells from different tissues are also of great interest due to their less traumatic material extraction and their innate abilities of active proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation. According to the different adult stem cell types and their origin, various strategies have been proposed for stem cell expansion and initiation of their chondrogenic differentiation. The current review presents the diversity in developing applied techniques based on autologous adult stem cell differentiation to hyaline cartilage tissue and targeted to articular cartilage damage therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasiia D. Kurenkova
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia or
| | - Irina A. Romanova
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Pavel D. Kibirskiy
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia or
| | - Peter Timashev
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia or
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina V. Medvedeva
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia or
- Correspondence:
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6
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Clark JN, Tavana S, Clark B, Briggs T, Jeffers JRT, Hansen U. High resolution three-dimensional strain measurements in human articular cartilage. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2021; 124:104806. [PMID: 34509906 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
An unresolved challenge in osteoarthritis research is characterising the localised intra-tissue mechanical response of articular cartilage. The aim of this study was to explore whether laboratory micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and digital volume correlation (DVC) permit non-destructive quantification of three-dimensional (3D) strain fields in human articular cartilage. Human articular cartilage specimens were harvested from the knee, mounted into a loading device and imaged in the unloaded and loaded states using a micro-CT scanner. Strain was measured throughout the cartilage volume using the micro-CT image data and DVC analysis. The volumetric DVC-measured strain was within 5% of the known applied strain. Variation in strain distribution between the superficial, middle and deep zones was observed, consistent with the different architecture of the material in these locations. These results indicate DVC method may be suitable for calculating strain in human articular cartilage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey N Clark
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Saman Tavana
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Brett Clark
- Imaging and Analysis Centre, Natural History Museum London, London, UK
| | - Tom Briggs
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Ulrich Hansen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
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7
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Zhu Y, Ponjevic D, Matyas JR, Boyd SK. Contrast-enhanced x-ray microscopy of articular cartilage. Connect Tissue Res 2021; 62:542-553. [PMID: 32814448 DOI: 10.1080/03008207.2020.1813121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis is a common chronic disease of joints characterized by degenerative changes of articular cartilage. An early diagnosis of osteoarthritis may be possible when imaging excised tissue for research in situ at the cellular-molecular scale. Whereas cartilage histopathology is destructive, time-consuming, and limited to 2D views, contrast-enhanced x-ray microscopy (XRM) can image articular cartilage and subchondral bone in 3D. This study evaluates articular cartilage structure ex vivo using both techniques.Osteochondral plugs were excised from non-diseased bovine knees and stained in phosphotungstic acid for 0 to 32 h. XRM imaging revealed an optimal staining time of 16 h and a saturated staining time of 24 h. Histology sections were cut and analyzed by polarized light microscopy (PLM) and second-harmonic-generation dual-photon (SHG-DP) microscopy. Histology photomicrographs were aligned with matching XRM slices and evaluated for features relevant in histopathological scoring of osteoarthritis cartilage, including the tidemark, collagen architecture and chondrocyte morphology.The cartilage collagen network and chondrocytes from the 3D contrast-enhanced XRM were correlated with the 2D histology. This technique has two distinct advantages over routine histopathology: (1) the avoidance of dehydration, demineralization, and deformation of histological sectioning, thereby preserving the intact articular cartilage and subchondral bone plate ex vivo, and (2) the ability to evaluate the entire osteochondral volume in 3D. This work explores several diagnostic features of imaging cartilage, including: visualization of the tidemark in XRM and SHG-DP microscopy, validating the morphology of chondrocytes and nuclei with XRM, SHG-DP and PLM, and correlating collagen birefringence with XRM image intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhu
- Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Dragana Ponjevic
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - John R Matyas
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Steven K Boyd
- Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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8
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Karjalainen VP, Kestilä I, Finnilä M, Folkesson E, Turkiewicz A, Önnerfjord P, Hughes V, Tjörnstrand J, Englund M, Saarakkala S. Quantitative three-dimensional collagen orientation analysis of human meniscus posterior horn in health and osteoarthritis using micro-computed tomography. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2021; 29:762-772. [PMID: 33588085 PMCID: PMC7610734 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2021.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is associated with meniscal degeneration that may involve disorganization of the meniscal collagen fiber network. Our aims were to quantitatively analyze the microstructural organization of human meniscus samples in 3D using micro-computed tomography (μCT), and to compare the local microstructural organization between OA and donor samples. METHOD We collected posterior horns of both medial and lateral human menisci from 10 end-stage medial compartment knee OA patients undergoing total knee replacement (medial & lateral OA) and 10 deceased donors without knee OA (medial & lateral donor). Posterior horns were dissected and fixed in formalin, dehydrated in ascending ethanol concentrations, treated with hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS), and imaged with μCT. We performed local orientation analysis of collagenous microstructure in 3D by calculating structure tensors from greyscale gradients within selected integration window to determine the polar angle for each voxel. RESULTS In donor samples, meniscus bundles were aligned circumferentially around the inner border of meniscus. In medial OA menisci, the organized structure of collagen network was lost, and main orientation was shifted away from the circumferential alignment. Quantitatively, medial OA menisci had the lowest mean orientation angle compared to all groups, -24° (95%CI -31 to -18) vs medial donor and -25° (95%CI -34 to -15) vs lateral OA. CONCLUSIONS HMDS-based μCT imaging enabled quantitative analysis of meniscal collagen fiber bundles and their orientations in 3D. In human medial OA menisci, the collagen disorganization was profound with overall lower orientation angles, suggesting collagenous microstructure disorganization as an important part of meniscus degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- V-P. Karjalainen
- Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - I. Kestilä
- Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - M.A. Finnilä
- Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland,Medical Research Center, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - E. Folkesson
- Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Orthopaedics, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Lund, Sweden,Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Rheumatology and Molecular Skeletal Biology, Lund, Sweden
| | - A. Turkiewicz
- Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Orthopaedics, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Lund, Sweden
| | - P. Önnerfjord
- Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Rheumatology and Molecular Skeletal Biology, Lund, Sweden
| | - V. Hughes
- Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Orthopaedics, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Lund, Sweden
| | - J. Tjörnstrand
- Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Orthopaedics, Lund, Sweden
| | - M. Englund
- Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Orthopaedics, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Lund, Sweden
| | - S. Saarakkala
- Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland,Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
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9
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Zhang L, Peng H, Zhang W, Li Y, Liu L, Leng T. Yeast Cell wall Particle mediated Nanotube-RNA delivery system loaded with miR365 Antagomir for Post-traumatic Osteoarthritis Therapy via Oral Route. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:8479-8493. [PMID: 32754258 PMCID: PMC7392020 DOI: 10.7150/thno.46761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) is an acute injury-induced joint inflammation followed by a gradual degradation of articular cartilage. However, there is no FDA-approved Disease-Modifying Osteoarthritis Drug currently. Although gene therapy with microRNA can improve PTOA progression, there is no effective gene delivery vehicle for orally deliver therapeutics due to the harsh environment of the gastrointestinal tract. In this study, we investigated the effect of yeast cell wall particle (YCWP) mediated nanotube-RNA delivery system on PTOA therapy via oral route. Methods: Nontoxic and degradable AAT and miRNA365 antagomir was self-assembled into miR365 antagomir/AAT (NPs). Then NPs-YCWP oral drug delivery system was constructed by using NPs and non-pathogenic YCWP which can be specifically recognized by macrophages. Moreover, surgical destabilization of the medial meniscus induced PTOA mice model was established to evaluate the therapeutic effect of NPs-YCWP via oral route. Results: Compared with control group, NPs showed higher gene inhibition efficiency both in chondrogenic cell line and primary chondrocytes in vitro. Treatment of macrophages with fluorescently labeled NPs-YCWP, the results showed that NPs-YCWP was successfully engulfed by macrophages and participated in the regulation of gene expression in vitro. Under the protection of YCWP, miR365 antagomir/AAT passes through the gastrointestinal tract without degradation after oral administration. After NPs-YCWP therapy, the results of histological staining, gene and protein expression showed that miR365 antagomir/NPs-YCWP improved the symptom of PTOA. Conclusion: Here, we constructed a biodegradable drug delivery system based on non-pathogenic YCWP and nanotubes, which can be used for PTOA therapy via the oral route. It suggests a new gene therapy strategy with YCWP mediated oral nano drug delivery system may serve as a platform for joint degeneration treatment.
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10
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Marr N, Hopkinson M, Hibbert AP, Pitsillides AA, Thorpe CT. Bimodal Whole-Mount Imaging of Tendon Using Confocal Microscopy and X-ray Micro-Computed Tomography. Biol Proced Online 2020; 22:13. [PMID: 32624710 PMCID: PMC7329428 DOI: 10.1186/s12575-020-00126-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Three-dimensional imaging modalities for optically dense connective tissues such as tendons are limited and typically have a single imaging methodological endpoint. Here, we have developed a bimodal procedure utilising fluorescence-based confocal microscopy and x-ray micro-computed tomography for the imaging of adult tendons to visualise and analyse extracellular sub-structure and cellular composition in small and large animal species. Results Using fluorescent immunolabelling and optical clearing, we visualised the expression of the novel cross-species marker of tendon basement membrane, laminin-α4 in 3D throughout whole rat Achilles tendons and equine superficial digital flexor tendon 5 mm segments. This revealed a complex network of laminin-α4 within the tendon core that predominantly localises to the interfascicular matrix compartment. Furthermore, we implemented a chemical drying process capable of creating contrast densities enabling visualisation and quantification of both fascicular and interfascicular matrix volume and thickness by x-ray micro-computed tomography. We also demonstrated that both modalities can be combined using reverse clarification of fluorescently labelled tissues prior to chemical drying to enable bimodal imaging of a single sample. Conclusions Whole-mount imaging of tendon allowed us to identify the presence of an extensive network of laminin-α4 within tendon, the complexity of which cannot be appreciated using traditional 2D imaging techniques. Creating contrast for x-ray micro-computed tomography imaging of tendon using chemical drying is not only simple and rapid, but also markedly improves on previously published methods. Combining these methods provides the ability to gain spatio-temporal information and quantify tendon substructures to elucidate the relationship between morphology and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil Marr
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London, UK
| | - Mark Hopkinson
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London, UK
| | - Andrew P Hibbert
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London, UK
| | - Andrew A Pitsillides
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London, UK
| | - Chavaunne T Thorpe
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London, UK
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11
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Clark JN, Garbout A, Ferreira SA, Javaheri B, Pitsillides AA, Rankin SM, Jeffers JRT, Hansen U. Propagation phase-contrast micro-computed tomography allows laboratory-based three-dimensional imaging of articular cartilage down to the cellular level. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2020; 28:102-111. [PMID: 31678663 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2019.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE High-resolution non-invasive three-dimensional (3D) imaging of chondrocytes in articular cartilage remains elusive. The aim of this study was to explore whether laboratory micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) permits imaging cells within articular cartilage. DESIGN Bovine osteochondral plugs were prepared four ways: in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or 70% ethanol (EtOH), both with or without phosphotungstic acid (PTA) staining. Specimens were imaged with micro-CT following two protocols: 1) absorption contrast (AC) imaging 2) propagation phase-contrast (PPC) imaging. All samples were scanned in liquid. The contrast to noise ratio (C/N) of cellular features quantified scan quality and were statistically analysed. Cellular features resolved by micro-CT were validated by standard histology. RESULTS The highest quality images were obtained using propagation phase-contrast imaging and PTA-staining in 70% EtOH. Cellular features were also visualised when stained in PBS and unstained in EtOH. Under all conditions PPC resulted in greater contrast than AC (p < 0.0001 to p = 0.038). Simultaneous imaging of cartilage and subchondral bone did not impede image quality. Corresponding features were located in both histology and micro-CT and followed the same distribution with similar density and roundness values. CONCLUSIONS Three-dimensional visualisation and quantification of the chondrocyte population within articular cartilage can be achieved across a field of view of several millimetres using laboratory-based micro-CT. The ability to map chondrocytes in 3D opens possibilities for research in fields from skeletal development through to medical device design and treatment of cartilage degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- J N Clark
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - A Garbout
- Imaging and Analysis Centre, Natural History Museum London, London, UK.
| | - S A Ferreira
- National Heart & Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - B Javaheri
- Skeletal Biology Group, Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, UK.
| | - A A Pitsillides
- Skeletal Biology Group, Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, UK.
| | - S M Rankin
- National Heart & Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - J R T Jeffers
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - U Hansen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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Kestilä I, Folkesson E, Finnilä MA, Turkiewicz A, Önnerfjord P, Hughes V, Tjörnstrand J, Englund M, Saarakkala S. Three-dimensional microstructure of human meniscus posterior horn in health and osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2019; 27:1790-1799. [PMID: 31301431 PMCID: PMC7610688 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2019.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To develop and perform ex vivo 3D imaging of meniscus posterior horn microstructure using micro-computed tomography (μCT), and to compare specimens from healthy references against end-stage osteoarthritis (OA) using conventional section-based histology and qualitative μCT. DESIGN We retrieved human medial and lateral menisci from 10 deceased donors without knee OA (healthy references) and medial and lateral menisci from 10 patients having total knee replacement for medial compartment OA. Meniscal posterior horns were dissected and fixed in formalin. One subsection underwent hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) treatment and μCT imaging. Pauli's histopathological scoring was performed for 3 other subsections. The differences in histopathological scores were estimated using mixed linear regression, resulting in fixed effects estimates for within-knee comparisons and adjusted for age and body mass index for between-subjects comparisons. RESULTS 3D visualization with μCT qualitatively revealed similar microstructural changes in the posterior horns as conventional histology. The mean histopathological score was higher for medial menisci from OA knees vs both medial reference menisci (mean difference [95% CI], 3.9 [2.6,5.3]), and lateral menisci from OA knees (3.9 [2.9,5.0]). The scores were similar between lateral menisci from OA knees and lateral reference menisci (0.8 [-0.6,2.2]), and between medial and lateral reference menisci (0.8 [-0.3,1.9]). CONCLUSIONS HMDS-based μCT protocol allows unique 3D visualization of meniscus microstructures. Posterior horns of medial menisci from medial compartment OA knees had higher histopathological scores than both the lateral posterior horns from the same OA knees and medial reference menisci, suggesting a strong association between meniscus degradation and unicompartmental knee OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iida Kestilä
- Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Elin Folkesson
- Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Orthopaedics, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Lund, Sweden,Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Rheumatology and Molecular Skeletal Biology, Lund, Sweden
| | - Mikko A. Finnilä
- Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland,Medical Research Center, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Aleksandra Turkiewicz
- Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Orthopaedics, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Lund, Sweden
| | - Patrik Önnerfjord
- Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Rheumatology and Molecular Skeletal Biology, Lund, Sweden
| | - Velocity Hughes
- Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Orthopaedics, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jon Tjörnstrand
- Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Orthopaedics, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Lund, Sweden,Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Orthopaedics, Lund, Sweden
| | - Martin Englund
- Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Orthopaedics, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Lund, Sweden,Clinical Epidemiology Research and Training Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Simo Saarakkala
- Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland,Medical Research Center, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland,Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
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Effect of strain rate on transient local strain variations in articular cartilage. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2019; 95:60-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2019.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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