title: Ultrastructure of the mineralizing metacarpophalangeal joint of progressive ankylosis (ank/ank) mice.
abstract: The metacarpophalangeal joint of the progressive ankylosis mouse was examined at 4, 6 and 8 weeks of age by using electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis. These studies describe the progression of the disorder, and they reveal three overlapping phases: pannus proliferation, chondrophyte formation and mineralization, and articular cartilage mineralization. The chondrophyte mineralized in a manner fairly similar to endochondrial bone, whereas articular cartilage mineralized by advancement of a calcification front across the cartilage. Synovial crystal phagocytosis was also observed. The progressive ankylosis mouse should be an important model for studying both crystal deposition and abnormal articular cartilage calcification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Anatomy, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843.
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Sampson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000844:Ankylosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D008854:Microscopy, Electron