A novel in vitro method for investigating cartilage degradation.
A novel in vitro microassay is described which allows the direct effects of short-lived cells or transient cell processes on cartilage matrix to be investigated. The method involves layering cells onto 2 microns cryostat sections of cartilage and assessing matrix integrity with quantitative histochemistry. Rat polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) caused glycosaminoglycan (GAG) loss from sections of bovine nasal cartilage. This loss of GAG was greatly enhanced by the presence of zymosan, phorbol ester or calcium ionophore. Similar results were obtained using human articular cartilage with human PMNs. This technique may be useful in the detection of novel chondroprotective agents.
Moore
A R
AR
Department of Experimental Pathology, St. Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, London.
el-Ghazaly
M
M
Willoughby
D A
DA
D000818:Animals; D000001:Calcimycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D002417:Cattle; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003720:Densitometry; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D015054:Zymosan / Q000494:pharmacology
D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D000001:Calcimycin; D015054:Zymosan; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate