Phenotypic characterization of osteoarthritic osteocytes from the sclerotic zones: a possible pathological role in subchondral bone sclerosis

Subchondral bone sclerosis is a well-recognised manifestation of osteoarthritis (OA). The osteocyte cell network is now considered to be central to the regulation of bone homeostasis; however, it is not known whether the integrity of the osteocyte cell network is altered in OA patients. The aim of t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of biological sciences 2012-01, Vol.8 (3), p.406-417
Main Authors: Jaiprakash, Anjali, Prasadam, Indira, Feng, Jian Q, Liu, Ying, Crawford, Ross, Xiao, Yin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acid Phosphatase - analysis
Aged
Apoptosis
Bone Remodeling
Cell Count
Cell Shape
Female
Gene Expression Profiling
Humans
Isoenzymes - analysis
Male
Matrix Metalloproteinases - analysis
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Middle Aged
Osteoarthritis, Knee - complications
Osteoarthritis, Knee - pathology
Osteocytes - enzymology
Osteocytes - pathology
Osteosclerosis - etiology
Osteosclerosis - pathology
Phenotype
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Research Paper
Staining and Labeling
Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase
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Summary:Subchondral bone sclerosis is a well-recognised manifestation of osteoarthritis (OA). The osteocyte cell network is now considered to be central to the regulation of bone homeostasis; however, it is not known whether the integrity of the osteocyte cell network is altered in OA patients. The aim of this study was to investigate OA osteocyte phenotypic changes and its potential role in OA subchondral bone pathogenesis. The morphological and phenotypic changes of osteocytes in OA samples were investigated by micro-CT, SEM, histology, immunohistochemistry, TRAP staining, apoptosis assay and real-time PCR studies. We demonstrated that in OA subchondral bone, the osteocyte morphology was altered showing rough and rounded cell body with fewer and disorganized dendrites compared with the osteocytes in control samples. OA osteocyte also showed dysregulated expression of osteocyte markers, apoptosis, and degradative enzymes, indicating that the phenotypical changes in OA osteocytes were accompanied with OA subchondral bone remodelling (increased osteoblast and osteoclast activity) and increased bone volume with altered mineral content. Significant alteration of osteocytes identified in OA samples indicates a potential regulatory role of osteocytes in subchondral bone remodelling and mineral metabolism during OA pathogenesis.
ISSN:1449-2288
1449-2288
DOI:10.7150/ijbs.4221