Magnetic resonance imaging and morphometric quantitation of cartilage histology after chronic infusion of interleukin 1 in rabbit knees.
Cartilage pathology in rabbit knees was monitored by noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and evaluated using morphometric histologic measurements. Infusion of rabbit knees with the cytokine interleukin 1 induces cartilage degradation and inflammation. A miniosmotic pump was implanted subcutaneously to deliver interleukin 1 through a polyethylene catheter inserted into the rabbit knee. Rabbit knees were imaged using MRI and prepared for histologic examination at 5 and 12 days after chronic infusion of interleukin 1. MRI obtained 0.7-mm sections for three-dimensional reconstruction of cartilage image. Cartilage deterioration near the site of infusion was visible on MRI. MRI measurements indicated a reduction in cartilage thickness. Histology revealed a loss of staining of cartilage matrix proteoglycan, synovial hypertrophy, and perichondral bone resorption. Morphometric analysis of cartilage histology indicated a reduction in both cellularity (chondrocytes/m mu 2 area) and cell to matrix area ratio. These observations suggest that a loss of proteoglycan, an early event in cartilage degeneration, can be detected by MRI.
Wilson
D
D
Research Department, Ciba-Geigy Corp., Summit, New Jersey 07901.
Paul
P K
PK
Roberts
E D
ED
Blancuzzi
V
V
Gronlund-Jacob
J
J
Vosbeck
K
K
DiPasquale
G
G
O'Byrne
E M
EM
D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*
D007375:Interleukin-1; D011994:Recombinant Proteins