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Joint capsule matrix turnover in a rabbit model of chronic joint contractures: Correlation with human contractures
Author(s) -
Hildebrand Kevin A.,
Zhang Mei,
Hart David A.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1554-527X
pISSN - 0736-0266
DOI - 10.1002/jor.20128
Subject(s) - joint capsule , contracture , elbow , joint contracture , muscle contracture , medicine , capsule , decorin , anatomy , surgery , biology , cartilage , proteoglycan , botany
To evaluate changes in matrix molecules of the joint capsule, the right knees of 24 skeletally mature female NZW rabbits were immobilized while the contralateral limb served as an unoperated control. The immobilization was discontinued at 8 weeks and the rabbits were divided among four groups ( n = 6) based on the number of weeks the right knees were remobilized: 0, 8, 16, or 32. Three rabbits (six knees) that did not have operations provided normal control joint capsules. The mRNA levels for collagen types I, II, and III, and MMP‐1 and ‐13 were significantly increased in the joint capsules of the contracture knees in all groups when compared to normal and contralateral limb joint capsules. In contrast, the mRNA levels for TIMP‐1, ‐2, and ‐3 were decreased in the joint capsules of the contracture knees in all groups when compared to normal and contralateral limb joint capsules. The mRNA levels for lumican and decorin were increased in the joint capsules of the contracture knees in all groups when compared to normal capsules. Many of the changes observed in this animal model are similar to those observed in human joint capsules from posttraumatic elbow contractures, supporting the value of this rabbit model. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res