Knee Joint Immobilization Decreases Aggrecan Gene Expression in the Meniscus

Aggrecan is the major proteoglycan of the meniscus, and its primary function is to give the meniscus its viscoelastic compressive properties. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of joint immobilization on aggrecan gene expression in the meniscus. The right hindlimbs of six mature...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of sports medicine 1998-05, Vol.26 (3), p.460-466
Main Authors: Djurasovic, Mladen, Aldridge, John W., Grumbles, Robert, Rosenwasser, Melvin P., Howell, David, Ratcliffe, Anthony
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aggrecans
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Cartilage
Dogs
Extracellular Matrix Proteins
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gene Expression
Genes
Immobilization - adverse effects
Knee
Knee Injuries - therapy
Knee Joint - physiology
Lectins, C-Type
Medical research
Menisci, Tibial - physiology
Meniscus (Anatomy)
Physiological aspects
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Proteoglycans - biosynthesis
Proteoglycans - genetics
Proteoglycans - metabolism
Skeleton and joints
Space life sciences
Sports medicine
Vertebrates: osteoarticular system, musculoskeletal system
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Summary:Aggrecan is the major proteoglycan of the meniscus, and its primary function is to give the meniscus its viscoelastic compressive properties. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of joint immobilization on aggrecan gene expression in the meniscus. The right hindlimbs of six mature beagles were knee cast-immobilized in 90° of flexion and supported by a sling to prevent weightbearing, while the contralateral limb was left free to bear weight. The animals were sacrificed at 4 weeks, and the anterior and posterior halves of the medial and lateral menisci were analyzed separately. Analysis of aggrecan gene expression by quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed decreased aggrecan gene expression in menisci from immobilized knees (P 0.01, two-way analysis of variance). Aggrecan gene expression decreased by a factor of 2 to 5.5 in the different regions examined. Analysis of the composition of the meniscus also showed decreased proteoglycan content and increased water content with immobilization (P 0.05, two-way analysis of variance). These results show that joint immobilization can significantly affect meniscal cellular activity and composition and can therefore potentially affect meniscal function.
ISSN:0363-5465
1552-3365
DOI:10.1177/03635465980260032101