Cartilage surface charge. A possible determinant in aging and osteoarthritic processes.

Polycationic labels such as cationized ferritin and colloidal iron were used to evaluate the surface negative charges over the mandibular condyles of ICR mice. The effects of neuraminidase, hyaluronidase, pronase, and collagenase on the binding of cationized ferritin and colloidal iron particles to the condylar articular surface were also studied. The results of this study clearly indicate that the surface area of the cartilaginous condyle is negatively charged and that its composition consists mainly of a collagenous material embedded within a proteinaceous matrix. With age, a substantial decrease in the density of negative charges took place along the surface area and, in particular, in the context of sialic acid residues. It is, therefore, possible that the reduction in cartilage surface charge might be associated with the onset of osteoarthritic changes commonly seen in aging humans and experimental animals.