Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2020 Oct;38(10):2170-2180.
doi: 10.1002/jor.24699. Epub 2020 Apr 25.

Biochemical changes of the pericellular matrix and spatial chondrocyte organization-Two highly interconnected hallmarks of osteoarthritis

Marina Danalache  1 , Anna-Lisa Erler  1   2 , Julius M Wolfgart  1   2 , Maik Schwitalle  3 , Ulf K Hofmann  1   4
Affiliations
Free article

Biochemical changes of the pericellular matrix and spatial chondrocyte organization-Two highly interconnected hallmarks of osteoarthritis

Marina Danalache et al. J Orthop Res. 2020 Oct.
Free article

Abstract

During osteoarthritis, chondrocytes change their spatial arrangement from single to double strings, then to small and big clusters. This change in pattern has recently been established as an image-based biomarker for osteoarthritis. The pericellular matrix (PCM) appears to degrade together alongside cellular reorganization. The aim of this study was to characterize this PCM-degradation based on different cellular patterns. We additionally wanted to identify the earliest time point of PCM-breakdown in this physiopathological model. To this end, cartilage samples were selected according to their predominant cellular pattern. Qualitative analysis of PCM degradation was performed immunohistochemically by analysing five main PCM components: collagen type VI, perlecan, collagen type III, biglycan, and fibrillin-1 (n = 6 patients). Their protein content was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (127 patients). Accompanying spatial cellular rearrangement, the PCM is progressively destroyed, with a pericellular signal loss in fluorescence microscopy for collagen type VI, perlecan, and biglycan. This loss in protein signal is accompanied by a reduction in total protein content from single strings to big clusters (P < .001 for collagen type VI, P = .003 for perlecan, and P < .001 for biglycan). As a result of an increase in the number of cells from single strings to big clusters, the amount of protein available per cell also decreases for collagen type III and fibrillin-1, where total protein levels remain constant. Biochemical changes of the PCM and cellular rearrangement are thus highly interconnected hallmarks of osteoarthritis. Interestingly, the earliest point in time for a relevant PCM impairment appears to be at the transition to small clusters.

Keywords: biglycan; cartilage; osteoarthritis; pericellular matrix; perlecan; spatial chondrocyte organization.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

REFERENCES

    1. Aicher WK, Rolauffs B. The spatial organisation of joint surface chondrocytes: review of its potential roles in tissue functioning, disease and early, preclinical diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2014;73:645-653.
    1. Sophia Fox AJ, Bedi A, Rodeo SA. The basic science of articular cartilage: structure, composition, and function. Sports Health. 2009;1:461-468.
    1. Rolauffs B, Williams JM, Aurich M, et al. Proliferative remodeling of the spatial organization of human superficial chondrocytes distant from focal early osteoarthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2010;62:489-498.
    1. Lotz MK, Otsuki S, Grogan SP, et al. Cartilage cell clusters. Arthritis Rheum. 2010;62:2206-2218.
    1. Rolauffs B, Rothdiener M, Bahrs C, et al. Onset of preclinical osteoarthritis: the angular spatial organization permits early diagnosis. Arthritis Rheum. 2011;63:1637-1647.