Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Fukuoka, Japan.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Wakamatsu Hospital of the University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Fukuoka, Japan.
Connect Tissue Res. 2022 Mar;63(2):169-182. doi: 10.1080/03008207.2021.1892088. Epub 2021 Mar 4.
Several studies have used animal models to examine knee joint contracture; however, few reports detail the construction process of a knee joint contracture model in a mouse. The use of mouse models is beneficial, as genetically modified mice can be used to investigate the pathogenesis of joint contracture. Compared to others, mouse models are associated with a lower cost to evaluate therapeutic effects. Here, we describe a novel knee contracture mouse model by immobilization using external fixation.
The knee joints of mice were immobilized by external fixation using a splint and tape. The passive extension range of motion (ROM), histological and immunohistochemical changes, and expression levels of fibrosis-related genes at 2 and 4 weeks were compared between the immobilized (Im group) and non-immobilized (Non-Im group) groups.
The extension ROM at 4 weeks was significantly lower in the Im group than in the Non-Im group (p < 0.01). At 2 and 4 weeks, the thickness and area of the joint capsule were significantly greater in the Im group than in the Non-Im group (p < 0.01 in all cases). At 2 weeks, the mRNA expression levels of the fibrosis-related genes, except for the , and the protein levels of cellular communication network factor 2 and vimentin in the joint capsule were significantly higher in the Im group (p < 0.01 in all cases).
This mouse model may serve as a useful tool to investigate the etiology of joint contracture and establish new treatment methods.
已有多项研究使用动物模型来研究膝关节挛缩，但鲜有报道详细描述小鼠膝关节挛缩模型的构建过程。使用小鼠模型具有优势，因为可以利用基因修饰小鼠来研究关节挛缩的发病机制。与其他动物模型相比，小鼠模型在评估治疗效果方面成本更低。本研究通过外固定器固定来构建一种新型的膝关节挛缩小鼠模型。
使用夹板和胶带通过外固定器将小鼠膝关节固定。比较固定（Im 组）和非固定（Non-Im 组）两组 2 周和 4 周时膝关节的被动伸展活动度（ROM）、组织学和免疫组织化学变化以及纤维化相关基因的表达水平。
4 周时，Im 组的伸展 ROM 明显低于 Non-Im 组（p < 0.01）。2 周和 4 周时，Im 组关节囊的厚度和面积明显大于 Non-Im 组（p < 0.01 ）。2 周时，Im 组关节囊中除以外的纤维化相关基因的 mRNA 表达水平以及细胞通讯网络因子 2 和波形蛋白的蛋白水平均明显高于 Non-Im 组（p < 0.01 ）。
该小鼠模型可能成为研究关节挛缩病因和建立新治疗方法的有用工具。
