Article

Changes in content and synthesis of collagen types and proteoglycans in osteoarthritis of the knee joint and comparison of quantitative analysis with Photoshop-based image analysis.

Section of Orthopaedic Research and Cell Biology, Department of Orthopaedics and Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital of the Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery (impact factor: 1.37). 10/2009; 130(4):557-64. DOI:10.1007/s00402-009-0981-y pp.557-64
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT The different cartilage layers vary in synthesis of proteoglycan and of the distinct types of collagen with the predominant collagen Type II with its associated collagens, e.g. types IX and XI, produced by normal chondrocytes. It was demonstrated that proteoglycan decreases in degenerative tissue and a switch from collagen type II to type I occurs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation of real-time (RT)-PCR and Photoshop-based image analysis in detecting such lesions and find new aspects about their distribution.
We performed immunohistochemistry and histology with cartilage tissue samples from 20 patients suffering from osteoarthritis compared with 20 healthy biopsies. Furthermore, we quantified our results on the gene expression of collagen type I and II and aggrecan with the help of real-time (RT)-PCR. Proteoglycan content was measured colorimetrically. Using Adobe Photoshop the digitized images of histology and immunohistochemistry stains of collagen type I and II were stored on an external data storage device. The area occupied by any specific colour range can be specified and compared in a relative manner directly from the histogram using the "magic wand tool" in the select similar menu. In the image grow menu gray levels or luminosity (colour) of all pixels within the selected area, including mean, median and standard deviation, etc. are depicted. Statistical Analysis was performed using the t test.
With the help of immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and quantitative RT- PCR we found that not only collagen type II, but also collagen type I is synthesized by the cells of the diseased cartilage tissue, shown by increasing amounts of collagen type I mRNA especially in the later stages of osteoarthritis.
A decrease of collagen type II is visible especially in the upper fibrillated area of the advanced osteoarthritic samples, which leads to an overall decrease. Analysis of proteoglycan showed a loss of the overall content and a quite uniform staining in the different zones compared to the healthy cartilage with a classical zonal formation. Correlation analysis of the proteoglycan Photoshop measurements with the RT-PCR using Spearman correlation analysis revealed strong correlation for Safranin O and collagen type I, medium for collagen type II and glycoprotein but weak correlation between PCR aggrecan results.
Photoshop-based image analysis might become a valuable supplement for well known histopathological grading systems of lesioned articular cartilage.

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    Article: Spin-lattice relaxation rates and water content of freeze-dried articular cartilage.
    R A Damion, S S Pawaskar, M E Ries, E Ingham, S Williams, Z Jin, A Radjenovic
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spin-lattice relaxation rates were measured in bovine and porcine articular cartilage as a function of water content. Water content was varied by freeze-drying samples for short periods of time (up to 15 min). The samples were weighed at all stages of drying so that water content could be quantified. Spin-lattice relaxation rates were measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Linear correlations were observed between relaxation rate and two measures of inverse water content: (1) solid-to-water ratio (ρ), expressed as a ratio of the mass of the solid component of the cartilage (m(s)) and the mass of water at each freeze-drying time point (m(w)), and (2) a ratio of the total mass of the fully-hydrated cartilage and m(w) (1/w). These correlations did not appear significantly different for the bovine and porcine data. However, fitting the data to a piecewise-linear model revealed differences between these two species. We interpret the first two segments of the piecewise model as the depletion of different water phases but conjecture that the third segment is partially caused by changes in relaxation rates as a result of a reduction in macromolecular mobilities. Whilst we can produce linear correlations which broadly describe the dependence of the measured spin-lattice relaxation rate on (inverse) water content, the linear model seems to obscure a more complicated relationship which potentially provides us with more information about the structure of articular cartilage and its extracellular water.
    Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 12/2011; 20(2):184-90. · 3.90 Impact Factor
Data provided are for informational purposes only. Although carefully collected, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The impact factor represents a rough estimation of the journal's impact factor and does not reflect the actual current impact factor. Publisher conditions are provided by RoMEO. Differing provisions from the publisher's actual policy or licence agreement may be applicable.

Keywords

20 healthy biopsies
 
20 patients
 
area occupied
 
associated collagens
 
degenerative tissue
 
different cartilage layers
 
different zones
 
diseased cartilage tissue
 
external data storage device
 
immunohistochemistry stains
 
menu gray levels
 
normal chondrocytes
 
Proteoglycan content
 
select similar menu
 
selected area
 
specific colour range
 
strong correlation
 
t test
 
upper fibrillated area
 
weak correlation