Extracellular Distribution of Collagen II and Perifibrillar Adapter Proteins in Healthy and Osteoarthritic Human Knee Joint Cartilage.

ABSTRACT: Perifibrillar adapter proteins, interconnecting collagen fibrils, and linking the collagen network with the aggrecan matrix seem to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Therefore, we examined immunohistochemically the extracellular distribution of collagen II and the main perifibrillar adapter proteins-collagen IX, decorin, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), and matrilin-3-in human samples of healthy (n=4) and OA (n=42) knee joint cartilage. Histopathology assessment was performed using an OA score. Staining patterns were evaluated in relation to the disease stage. The perifibrillar adapter proteins were uniformly distributed in the upper zones of healthy cartilage. In moderate OA (n=8; score 14.3 ± 4.7), all proteins analyzed were locally absent in the

SUBMITTER: Firner S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5624365 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature