Human articular cartilage proteoglycans are not undersulfated in osteoarthritis

Chondroitin sulfate is the major constituent of cartilage. Inadequate sulfate availability results in the production of undersulfated proteoglycans. In osteoarthritis, there is a net loss of articular cartilage proteoglycans. Theoretically, it is possible that during the progress of disease undersulfated glycosaminoglycans are synthesized producing proteoglycans with poorer biological properties. In this study, we tested whether in early human osteoarthritic articular cartilage (Mankin's score of 2 and 3) or more advanced disease (Mankin's score over 3), there are proteoglycans that contain a higher relative amount of nonsulfated chondroitin disaccharide isomer in their chondroitin sulfate chains by analyzing the molar ratios of chondroitin sulfate disaccharide isoforms with fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis. Our results indicated that the nonsulfated disaccharide of chondroitin sulfate formed in average only 1-2% of the total chondroitin sulfate. More important, the molar ratio of nonsulfated disaccharide did not appear to be increased in the osteoarthritic articular cartilage. We conclude that undersulfation of articular cartilage proteoglycans is not present in the human osteoarthritic joint.     

富血小板血浆干预膝关节骨性关节炎模型兔关节软骨和滑膜的改变

文题释义： 富血小板血浆(PRP)：1993年Hood等首先提出富血小板血浆概念,并发现富血小板血浆含有丰富的血小板,其数目比全血中数目高3倍以上。血小板中含有大量的生长因子,如血小板衍生生长因子、转化生长因子β、类胰岛素生长因子、表皮生长因子、血管内皮生长因子等。 Ⅱ型胶原纤维(COL Ⅱ)：胶原纤维是关节软骨基质的重要组成结构之一,其中含量最多的Ⅱ型胶原纤维是构成软骨的基本框架,具有维持关节软骨的形态结构和抗张力强度的功能。基质金属蛋白酶为Ⅱ型胶原纤维的特异性降解酶,其中基质金属蛋白酶13降解Ⅱ型胶原纤维的速度是基质金属蛋白酶1的10倍。 背景：研究显示富血小板血浆具有很强的促进软骨细胞修复和增生作用。 目的：探讨富血小板血浆在骨性关节炎中对软骨细胞修复及滑膜炎症抑制的疗效。 方法：新西兰大白兔40只,于兔耳中央动脉取血后采用Hokugo等的方法制备富血小板血浆,同时检测外周血及富血小板血浆的血小板、血小板衍生生长因子、转化生长因子β和血管内皮生长因子水平。采用前交叉韧带切断法来制作动物模型后随机将兔分为实验组和对照组,实验组双侧膝关节每周注射1次0.3 mL 富血小板血浆;对照组每周注射1次0.3 mL无菌生理盐水,共注射10周。注射后第2,4,6,8,10周对兔进行大体观察及膝关节组织学观察;检测关节软骨Ⅱ型胶原蛋白及基质金属蛋白酶13水平,并进行软骨组织Mankin评分。实验方案经重庆医科大学动物实验伦理委员会批准。 结果与结论：①富血小板血浆中血小板、血小板衍生生长因子、转化生长因子β和血管内皮生长因子水平分别是正常血中的5.5,4.8,7.7和6.2倍(均P < 0.05);②注射后第6周实验组Mankin评分小于对照组(P < 0.05);③实验组第4,6,8,10周时Ⅱ型胶原蛋白水平明显高于对照组(P < 0.05);实验组第2,4,6,8,10周时基质金属蛋白酶13水平明显小于对照组(P < 0.05);④结果表明,关节腔内注射富血小板血浆能通过缓解关节滑膜炎症及延缓甚至阻断软骨细胞的损伤来抑制骨性关节炎的进展。 ORCID: 0000-0001-6301-4790(邱皓) 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程     

维药买朱尼对关节软骨前炎性因子的影响

背景：骨关节炎病理过程中,白细胞介素1β被认为是促进软骨基质降解和关节软骨破坏的最重要的细胞因之一。 目的：观察白细胞介素1β在关节软骨中的表达,并观察维药买朱尼对其的影响。 方法：将40只SD大鼠随机数字表法随机等分为模型对照组、维药买朱尼组、假手术组、正常对照组。模型对照组和维药买朱尼组采用改良Hulth造模法建立大鼠膝骨关节炎模型,假手术组仅显露膝关节,不切断韧带,不切除内侧半月板。维药买朱尼组建模第2周开始灌胃维药买朱尼10.31 mg/(kg•d),模型组及假手术组大鼠均灌服等量生理盐水,连续4周。 结果与结论：模型组软骨退变程度明显重于维药买朱尼组,模型组软骨大体评分及Mankin评分均明显高于维药买朱尼组(P < 0.05),模型组软骨细胞白细胞介素1β的表达强度亦明显高于维药买朱尼组(P < 0.05)。与正常对照组比较,假手术组软骨大体评分、Mankin评分及软骨细胞白细胞介素1β差异无显著性意义 (P > 0.05)。结果说明,维药买朱尼可以抑制关节软骨前炎性因子白细胞介素1β的表达。     

Assessment of articular cartilage of the lateral tibial plateau in varus osteoarthritis of the knee

This study describes the soft X-ray examinations of 24 lateral tibial plateaus obtained during total knee arthroplasty for varus osteoarthritis. The average thickness of the articular cartilage was 3.5 min and ranged from 2.1 to 5.0. We considered that 21 out of the 24 lateral tibial plateaus had well preserved articular cartilage. Within the well preserved articular cartilage, bony protuberances of various sizes were found in five cases. All lateral tibial plateaus except one showed osteophyte formation. We considered that 12 of the 24 lateral tibial plateaus had large osteophytes. Ten of these 12 lateral tibial plateaus had well preserved articular cartilage. Large osteophyte formation may not necessarily be a contra-indication of high tibial osteotomy (HTO) or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Cases with a bony protuberance may not be suitable for HTO or UKA, because the overlying articular cartilage is thin and inadequate for supporting load.     

SOX6和SOX9基因转染对人原发性骨关节炎关节软骨间充质祖细胞增殖和成软骨分化的调控作用

目的观察SOX6和SOX9基因转染对原发性OA关节软骨MPCs的促增殖、分化作用,为通过调控关节软骨MPCs以防治原发性OA提供理论依据。方法分别以pAdTrack-CMV-SOX6、SOX9腺病毒穿梭质粒构建SOX6、SOX9基因,并感染原发性OA关节软骨MPCs,比较基因感染组和未感染组成软骨诱导分化后TB、Ⅱ型胶原以及Ⅱ型胶原mRNA表达的变化。结果SOX6和SOX9能够分别稳定感染OA关节软骨MPCs;经二者分别感染的关节软骨MPCs成软骨诱导分化后,其TB染色、Ⅱ型胶原染色呈强阳性表达,未基因感染细胞为弱阳性着色;SOX6基因感染原发性OA关节软骨MPCs的Ⅱ型胶原mRNA表达量为未基因感染细胞的3.8倍(P0.01),SOX9基因为未感染细胞的5.15倍(P0.01)。结论构建的SOX6、SOX9基因序列与基因库报道序列完全一致;SOX6和SOX9能稳定感染原发性OA关节软骨MPCs,并显著促进感染细胞成软骨分化;提示通过适宜浓度的bFGF、TGF-β1对原发性OA关节软骨MPCs的作用及SOX6和SOX9基因感染,可能具有促进原发性OA关节软骨损伤修复的作用。     

电针抑制骨性关节炎的炎症反应及延缓关节软骨退变

背景：研究表明基质金属蛋白酶3在关节软骨退变和破坏中有重要意义。 目的：观察长针透刺与透明质酸钠治疗大鼠膝骨关节炎后,大鼠化膜组织中基质金属蛋白酶3含量变化。 方法：SD大鼠通过膝关节腔内注射1.6%木瓜蛋白酶溶液并驱赶大鼠活动建立膝骨关节炎模型。造模2周后随机分为3组,长针透刺组用直径0.30 mm、长125 mm规格的毫针透刺大鼠犊鼻穴和膝眼穴;药物治疗组关节腔内注射透明质酸钠;模型组不干预。并设立不造模的正常组。 结果与结论：治疗4周后,模型组大鼠滑膜组织基质金属蛋白酶3含量较正常组显著升高(P < 0.05),长针透刺组、药物治疗组基质金属蛋白酶3含量较模型组显著降低(P < 0.05),长针透刺组与药物组相近(P > 0.05)。证实长针透刺疗法能有效纠正膝骨关节炎模型大鼠化膜组织中基质金属蛋白酶3的异常表达,这也可能是长针透刺治疗膝骨关节炎的作用原理之一。     

Intra-articular ozone slows down the process of degeneration of articular cartilage in the knees of rats with osteoarthritis

BackgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease of multifactorial etiology, affecting mainly the knees. We aimed to evaluate the effects of two different doses of gaseous ozone intra-articularly on the knee cartilage morphology of rats with osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsThe articular lesion was induced by sodium monoiodoacetate (MIA). 40 Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: G1 control (without lesion and without treatment), G2 articular lesion (AL) (only lesion MIA-induced), G3 AL + treatment with 5 μg/mL of ozone intra-articular, and G4 AL + treatment with 10 μg/mL of ozone intra-articular. The experiment was carried out for 60 days.ResultsBoth doses of ozone intra-articular demonstrated less reduction in joint space (G3 and G4) compared to the G2, formation of osteophytes, but without subchondral sclerosis. Ozone decreased the volumetric density of the articular lesion (VV(AL)) of tibial. The treatments recovered VV(AL) of the femur similar to G1. Ozone lower dose (G3) showed lower tibia and femur macroscopic scores.ConclusionIntra-articular gaseous ozone can delay the degeneration of articular cartilage and can represents an integrative therapy in the OA treatment of knee after 60 days of treatment. For the first time the role of ozone in articular cartilage degeneration was evaluated helping to understand this therapy.     

Direct rAAV SOX9 administration for durable articular cartilage repair with delayed terminal differentiation and hypertrophy in vivo

Direct gene transfer strategies are of promising value to treat articular cartilage defects. Here, we tested the ability of a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) SOX9 vector to enhance the repair of cartilage lesions in vivo. The candidate construct was provided to osteochondral defects in rabbit knee joints vis-à-vis control (lacZ) vector treatment and to cells relevant of the repair tissue (mesenchymal stem cells, chondrocytes). Efficient, long-term transgene expression was noted within the lesions (up to 16 weeks) and in cells in vitro (21 days). Administration of the SOX9 vector was capable of stimulating the biological activities in vitro and over time in vivo. SOX9 treatment in vivo was well tolerated, leading to improved cartilage repair processes with enhanced production of major matrix components. Remarkably, application of rAAV SOX9 delayed premature terminal differentiation and hypertrophy in the newly formed cartilage, possible due to contrasting effects of SOX9 on RUNX2 and β-catenin osteogenic expression in this area. Most strikingly, SOX9 treatment improved the reconstitution of the subchondral bone in the defects, possibly due to an increase in RUNX2 expression in this location. These findings show the potential of direct rAAV gene delivery as an efficient tool to treat cartilage lesions.     

红姜提取物保护早期膝骨关节炎模型大鼠的关节软骨

背景:研究报道,联合使用姜提取物降低血清促炎细胞因子白细胞介素1β、白细胞介素6、肿瘤坏死因子α等水平与膝骨关节炎中软骨损伤的减轻有关.目的:观察红姜提取物灌胃对早期膝骨关节炎大鼠关节软骨保护情况及血清白细胞介素1β、白细胞介素6、肿瘤坏死因子α和软骨Col2α1 mRNA水平表达的影响,探讨红姜提取物对早期膝骨关节炎...     

Isorhamnetin ameliorates inflammatory responses and articular cartilage damage in the rats of monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis

Abstract

Context: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease with damage to the articular cartilage. Active production of inflammatory cytokine/chemokine and matrix metalloproteinases may be found during the progression of OA. Isorhamnetin had the effects of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-ischemia, anti-atherosclerotic hepatoprotective and anticancer activities.

Objective: Our study was focused on the effects of isorhamnetin treatment in OA.

Materials and methods: We used monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA rats to evaluate the effects of isorhamnetin related anti-inflammatory process. The rats in all groups were sacrificed on four weeks post-MIA injection. The measurements of knee joint swelling, histological analysis, serum inflammatory biomarkers and western blot were evaluated.

Results: We found that isorhamnetin may reduce MIA-induced knee swelling by significantly reduction of articular cartilage damage.in rats. Suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines production was found after isohamnetin treatment. Isorhamnetin inhibited the production of NO and PGE2, and the expression of iNOS and COX-2. The production of COMP, CTX-II and osteopontin (OPN) were also inhibited in MIA-induced OA rats.

Discussion and conclusions: Isorhamnetin may modulate the inflammatory progression of OA in MIA-induced OA rats. The prevention of cartilage damage was found in OA after adequate isorhamnetin treatment. Isorhamnetin may serve as a potential agent for the management of OA.     

富血小板血浆修复膝关节骨关节炎

BACKGROUND: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) containing high levels of platelet-derived growth factor for knee osteoarthritis has achieved good clinical results; however, the effects of RPR on the repair of damaged articular cartilage are still controversial. OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of RPR on the repair of damaged articular cartilage in a rabbit model of knee osteoarthritis. METHODS:The model of osteoarthritis in the rabbit right knee was established by Hulth’s method. Autologous PRP (0.5 mL) (PRP group), sodium hyaluronate (0.5 mL) (sodium hyaluronate group), and normal saline (model group) were injected into the right knee joint cavity, respectively. The morphology of articular surface and nitric oxide contents in knee joint fluid were observed and determined at 8 weeks after surgery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The morphology of articular cartilage in the PRP group was better than that in the other three groups. Mankin scores of articular cartilage and nitric oxide contents of knee joint fluid in the PRP group were significantly decreased compared with the model and sodium hyaluronate groups that in (P < 0.05), while increased compared with the sham-operation group (P < 0.05). Our results suggest that repair effects of PRP on the damaged articular cartilage are superior to sodium hyaluronate treatment. 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程     

健膝强骨丸对膝骨关节炎家兔模型关节软骨病理改变的影响

背景：膝骨关节炎的病理学改变不可逆转,属中医“痹证”范畴,治疗目的是缓解或解除症状,延缓关节退变。健膝强骨丸方是武汉大学基础医学院荆州市第三人民医院的经验方,可补益肝肾,祛风散寒,除湿通络,强骨健膝。 目的：观察健膝强骨丸对膝骨关节炎兔模型膝骨关节软骨的保护作用,及其对软骨细胞骨形态发生蛋白7表达的影响。 方法：36只新西兰兔随机分为3组,每组12只,分别运用改良Hulth术制备兔膝骨关节炎模型。造模后第6周,给药组予健膝强骨丸0.1 g/kg灌胃,模型组和正常对照组予等量生理盐水灌胃。给药4周后通过软骨Mankin’s评分方法行兔膝关节软骨评分,电镜下观察软骨形态,免疫组化法检测膝关节软骨细胞骨形态发生蛋白7表达情况。 结果与结论：给药组兔膝关节软骨病理退变程度较其他2组轻,膝关节软骨细胞骨形态发生蛋白7的表达量较其他2组高,差异有显著性意义(P < 0.05)。提示健膝强骨丸可增强膝骨关节炎模型兔关节软骨细胞骨形态发生蛋白7的表达,从而促进膝关节软骨再生,减少软骨变形坏死,达到治疗关节炎的目的。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：肾移植;肝移植;移植;心脏移植;组织移植;皮肤移植;皮瓣移植;血管移植;器官移植;组织工程全文链接：     

Role of chondrocyte death and hypocellularity in ageing human articular cartilage and the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis

Apoptotic death of articular chondrocytes has been implicated in the pathogenesis of human osteoarthritis. Although nitric oxide and Fas ligand have been shown to be inducers of chondrocyte apoptosis in vitro and in vivo, the contribution of other triggers such as hypoxia, matrix acidosis, abnormal shear stress and catabolic cytokines like interleukin-1beta and tumour necrosis factor alpha has not been examined. It is also not known if growth factors such as insulin like growth factor 1 or anabolic cytokines prevent apoptosis. The intracellular mechanism of effecting apoptotic death depend on whether damage to the mitochondrion or receptor ligation is the primary apoptotic stimulus, since these activate different initiator caspases which then deliver the apoptotic signal to common downstream effector caspases and other proteases. The hypothesis proposed here suggests that by using chondrocytes derived from control and osteoarthritis joints and established human chondrocyte cell lines, it is possible to investigate the relative contributions of major cell death inducing mechanisms and correspondingly which initiating caspase is activated. This understanding is essential for developing appropriately targeted anti-protease therapies for the inhibition of chondrocyte apoptosis in the rational treatment of osteoarthritis.     

关节腔内注射透明质酸钠可以延缓创伤性骨关节炎的软骨退变

背景：透明质酸钠是一种治疗骨关节炎的有效手段,但其机制尚不清楚。有研究表明基质金属蛋白酶1,3,9和基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂1,2表达失调对骨关节炎有重要影响。目的：观察关节腔内注射透明质酸钠对兔创伤性骨关节炎模型软骨中基质金属蛋白酶1,3,9和基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂1,2表达的影响。方法：采用单侧前交叉韧带切断法构建创伤性骨关节炎模型兔,造模后4周关节腔注射体积分数1%透明质酸钠0.3 mL,每周1次,连续5周,设为透明质酸钠组,同时设模型组和正常对照组作对比。术后11周麻醉处死动物,获取软骨并提取总RNA,用实时聚合酶链反应分析各组软骨内基质金属蛋白酶1,3,9和基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂1,2 mRNA表达。结果与结论：与模型组相比,透明质酸钠组经关节腔内注射透明质酸钠软骨损伤范围和程度均减轻(P < 0.01),软骨组织学评分明显降低(P < 0.05)。模型组软骨内基质金属蛋白酶1,3,9 mRNA表达增强,基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂1,2 mRNA表达下调,而透明质酸钠组软骨中基质金属蛋白酶1,3,9,基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂1,2 mRNA的表达并无显著变化。结果说明,基质金属蛋白酶1,3,9和基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂1,2参与了创伤性骨关节炎软骨退变过程,虽然关节腔内注射透明质酸钠可以延缓创伤性骨关节炎软骨退变,但透明质酸钠并不是通过调节上述因子的表达来发挥修复作用的,具体机制有待进一步研究证实。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程     

软骨组织工程学方法修复关节软骨缺损

背景：关节软骨缺损在临床上十分常见,随着分子生物学和组织工程学等学科的不断发展,为关节软骨缺损的修复提供了大量新的方法和思路,利用软骨组织工程学方法修复关节软骨缺损成为目前骨科领域研究的热点。 目的：总结并讨论目前软骨组织工程学方法修复关节软骨缺损的研究现状,综述应用软骨组织工程学方法修复关节软骨缺损的研究进展。 方法：由第一作者应用计算机检索中国期刊全文数据库(CNKI：2000/2010)和Medline(1990/2010)数据库中的相关文章,检索词分别为“关节软骨缺损,软骨组织工程”和“articular cartilage defects (ACD),cartilage tissue engineering”,语言分别设定为中文和英文。共检索得文章786篇,从中选取相关文章44篇,从软骨组织工程学方法修复关节软骨缺损过程中的种子细胞、支架材料和生物因子3个具体方面的研究进展进行归纳及总结。 结果与结论：支架、种子细胞和可调控细胞生长、增殖及分化的生物因子是软骨组织工程的3大要素。软骨组织工程方法主要包括利用体外培养、扩增后的种子细胞,将其种植于支架材料中,在相关调节因素的作用下形成组织工程化软骨,此方法已成为目前治疗关节软骨缺损的重要方法之一,并取得不错的疗效,但迄今为止尚未出现一种法被广泛认可的治疗方案。利用不同新型复合支架材料如修复治疗关节软骨缺损将成为今后研究的主要方向。     

膝关节神经支选择性切断对膝骨性关节炎模型兔关节软骨病理变化的影响

目的:观察选择性切断膝关节神经支对膝骨性关节炎模型兔关节软骨病变的影响。方法:采用改良Hulth法复制兔膝骨性关节炎模型,通过外科显微镜下选择性切断兔膝关节神经支。利用"测定双足平衡设备"检测和评价兔膝关节功能变化,肉眼观察兔膝关节大体结构。组织切片H-E染色,光镜下观察关节软骨组织结构,应用显微电脑测量软件测量关节软骨厚度。运用TUNEL法检测软骨细胞的凋亡。结果:模型组右侧(患侧)膝关节蜷缩、无力,检测显示以左侧后足承重为主。治疗组右侧(患侧)后足承重分布情况较模型组有明显改善。模型组兔膝关节软骨出现退变的表现,软骨细胞过度凋亡,其凋亡指数明显高于正常组,而治疗组兔膝关节软骨退变有明显改善,细胞凋亡指数明显低于模型组。模型组和治疗组膝关节软骨厚度均较正常组有明显减小,但治疗组软骨厚度较模型组有明显增厚。结论;选择性切断膝关节神经支对膝骨性关节炎模型兔关节软骨细胞凋亡有抑制作用,并能改善病变关节软骨的结构,加强关节的功能。     

选择性切断膝关节神经支对膝骨性关节炎模型兔关节软骨超微结构的影响

目的观察选择性切断膝关节神经支对兔膝骨性关节炎模型关节软骨超微结构的影响。方法采用Huhh法复制兔膝骨性关节炎模型,通过外科显微镜下选择性切断兔膝关节神经支,对关节软骨等结构进行形态学观察,运用TUNEL法检测软骨细胞的凋亡,并应用透射电镜观察关节软骨超微结构的变化。结果模型组兔膝关节软骨出现退变的表现,软骨细胞过度凋亡,其凋亡指数（31．25±6．83）明显高于正常组（3．16±0．65;P〈0．05）。模型组关节软骨超微结构明显受损,软骨细胞出现核固缩,线粒体肿胀,粗面内质网扩张、脱颗粒;软骨基质内胶原纤维断裂溶解,结构模糊。治疗组兔膝关节软骨退变有明显改善,细胞凋亡指数（15．43±3．72）明显低于模型组（P〈0．05）,关节软骨超微结构较模型组有明显改善。结论选择性切断膝关节神经支对膝骨性关节炎模型兔关节软骨细胞凋亡有抑制作用,并能改善关节软骨的超微结构。