Proliferative remodeling of the spatial organization of human superficial chondrocytes distant from focal early osteoarthritis
Author(s)
Rolauffs, Bernd; Grodzinsky, Alan J.; Williams, James M.; Aurich, Matthias; Kuettner, Klaus E.; Cole, Ada A.; ... Show more Show less
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Objective
Human superficial chondrocytes show distinct spatial organizations, and they commonly aggregate near osteoarthritic (OA) fissures. The aim of this study was to determine whether remodeling or destruction of the spatial chondrocyte organization might occur at a distance from focal (early) lesions in patients with OA.
Methods
Samples of intact cartilage (condyles, patellofemoral groove, and proximal tibia) lying distant from focal lesions of OA in grade 2 joints were compared with location-matched nondegenerative (grade 0–1) cartilage samples. Chondrocyte nuclei were stained with propidium iodide, examined by fluorescence microscopy, and the findings were recorded in a top-down view. Chondrocyte arrangements were tested for randomness or significant grouping via point pattern analyses (Clark and Evans Aggregation Index) and were correlated with the OA grade and the surface cell densities.
Results
In grade 2 cartilage samples, superficial chondrocytes were situated in horizontal patterns, such as strings, clusters, pairs, and singles, comparable to the patterns in nondegenerative cartilage. In intact cartilage samples from grade 2 joints, the spatial organization included a novel pattern, consisting of chondrocytes that were aligned in 2 parallel lines, building double strings. These double strings correlated significantly with an increased number of chondrocytes per group and an increased corresponding superficial zone cell density. They were observed in all grade 2 condyles and some grade 2 tibiae, but never in grade 0–1 cartilage.
Conclusion
This study is the first to identify a distinct spatial reorganization of human superficial chondrocytes in response to distant early OA lesions, suggesting that proliferation had occurred distant from focal early OA lesions. This spatial reorganization may serve to recruit metabolically active units as an attempt to repair focal damage.
Date issued
2010-01Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Biological EngineeringJournal
Arthritis and Rheumatism
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Citation
Rolauffs, Bernd et al. “Proliferative re-modeling of the spatial organization of human superficial chondrocytes distant to focal early osteoarthritis (OA).” Arthritis & Rheumatism (2010): NA-NA. Web. 26 Oct. 2011. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Version: Author's final manuscript
ISSN
1529-0131