title: Joint capsule matrix turnover in a rabbit model of chronic joint contractures: Correlation with human contractures.
abstract: To evaluate changes in matrix molecules of the joint capsule, the right knees of 24 skeletally mature female NZW rabbits were immobilized while the contralateral limb served as an unoperated control. The immobilization was discontinued at 8 weeks and the rabbits were divided among four groups (n = 6) based on the number of weeks the right knees were remobilized: 0, 8, 16, or 32. Three rabbits (six knees) that did not have operations provided normal control joint capsules. The mRNA levels for collagen types I, II, and III, and MMP-1 and -13 were significantly increased in the joint capsules of the contracture knees in all groups when compared to normal and contralateral limb joint capsules. In contrast, the mRNA levels for TIMP-1, -2, and -3 were decreased in the joint capsules of the contracture knees in all groups when compared to normal and contralateral limb joint capsules. The mRNA levels for lumican and decorin were increased in the joint capsules of the contracture knees in all groups when compared to normal capsules. Many of the changes observed in this animal model are similar to those observed in human joint capsules from posttraumatic elbow contractures, supporting the value of this rabbit model.
authors.affiliation: McCaig Centre for Joint Injury and Arthritis Research, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 4N1. hildebrk@ucalgary.ca
authors.forename: Kevin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Hildebrand
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Hart
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D058578:Biglycan; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003094:Collagen / Q000235:genetics; D017364:Collagenases / Q000235:genetics; D003286:Contracture / Q000378:metabolism*; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017746:Joint Capsule / Q000378:metabolism*; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000235:genetics; D053509:Matrix Metalloproteinase 13; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011817:Rabbits; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C546884:BGN protein, human; D058578:Biglycan; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D011509:Proteoglycans; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D003094:Collagen; D017364:Collagenases; C507079:MMP13 protein, human; D053509:Matrix Metalloproteinase 13; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1