Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima City 734-8551, Japan.
Department of Artificial Joints and Biomaterials, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima City 734-8551, Japan.
Int J Mol Sci. 2024 May 20;25(10):5563. doi: 10.3390/ijms25105563.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint disorder characterized by cartilage degeneration, often leading to pain and functional impairment. Minced cartilage implantation (MCI) has emerged as a promising one-step alternative for large cartilage defects. However, the source of chondrocytes for MCI remains a challenge, particularly in advanced OA, as normal cartilage is scarce. We performed in vitro studies to evaluate the feasibility of MCI using osteophyte cartilage, which is present in patients with advanced OA. Osteophyte and articular cartilage samples were obtained from 22 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty. Chondrocyte migration and proliferation were assessed using cartilage fragment/atelocollagen composites to compare the characteristics and regenerative potential of osteophytes and articular cartilage. Histological analysis revealed differences in cartilage composition between osteophytes and articular cartilage, with higher expression of type X collagen and increased chondrocyte proliferation in the osteophyte cartilage. Gene expression analysis identified distinct gene expression profiles between osteophytes and articular cartilage; the expression levels of COL2A1, ACAN, and SOX9 were not significantly different. Chondrocytes derived from osteophyte cartilage exhibit enhanced proliferation, and glycosaminoglycan production is increased in both osteophytes and articular cartilage. Osteophyte cartilage may serve as a viable alternative source of MCI for treating large cartilage defects in OA.
骨关节炎（OA）是一种常见的关节疾病，其特征为软骨退化，常导致疼痛和功能障碍。碎软骨植入术（MCI）作为一种有前途的一步法治疗方法，用于治疗大的软骨缺损。然而，MCI 的软骨细胞来源仍然是一个挑战，特别是在晚期 OA 中，因为正常软骨很少。我们进行了体外研究，使用存在于晚期 OA 患者中的骨赘软骨来评估 MCI 的可行性。从接受全膝关节置换术的 22 名患者中获取骨赘和关节软骨样本。使用软骨碎片/原胶原复合物评估软骨细胞迁移和增殖，以比较骨赘和关节软骨的特征和再生潜力。组织学分析显示骨赘和关节软骨之间的软骨组成存在差异，骨赘软骨中 COL2A1、ACAN 和 SOX9 的表达水平无显著差异。骨赘和关节软骨之间存在明显不同的基因表达谱；COL2A1、ACAN 和 SOX9 的表达水平无显著差异。骨赘软骨来源的软骨细胞增殖能力增强，且骨赘和关节软骨中的糖胺聚糖产量增加。骨赘软骨可能是 OA 中大的软骨缺损治疗中 MCI 的可行替代来源。
