Open AccessIncrease in the expression of the transmembrane surface receptor CD44v6 on chondrocytes in animals with osteoarthritis
Author(s) -
Tibesku Carsten O.,
Szuwart Thomas,
Ocken Stephanie A.,
Skwara Adrian,
Fuchs Susanne
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.20949
Subject(s) - immunostaining , osteoarthritis , medicine , hyaline , cartilage , anterior cruciate ligament , hyaline cartilage , pathology , in vivo , cd44 , immunohistochemistry , anatomy , articular cartilage , cell , chemistry , biology , biochemistry , alternative medicine , microbiology and biotechnology
Abstract Objective To evaluate the expression of CD44v6 on chondrocytes from hyaline cartilage over the course of osteoarthritis (OA). Methods In 12 NZW rabbits, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was resected to create anterior instability of the knee. In 12 control rabbits, only a sham operation, without resection of the ACL, was performed. Four animals from each group were killed at 3, 6, and 12 weeks. After opening the knee joint, OA was macroscopically graded and hyaline cartilage of the load‐bearing area was evaluated histologically according to the Mankin scale and by immunostaining for CD44v6. Results There was a positive linear correlation between the time after surgery and the macroscopic and histologic OA scores. The scores in the control group were constant over the time course. Immunostaining showed constant expression of CD44v6 in the control group. In the experimental group, a positive linear correlation between CD44v6 expression and macroscopic and histologic grades was found. Conclusion The results show an in vivo increase in the expression of the hyaluronan receptor CD44 over the time course of OA. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether this pattern applies to humans and whether new treatment approaches could evolve from this knowledge.