Analysis of the mineral composition of the human calcified cartilage zone.
As the connecting tissue between the hyaline articular cartilage and the subchondral bone, calcified cartilage zone (CCZ) plays a great role in the force transmission and materials diffusion. However, the questions that remain to be resolved are its mineral composition and organization. In this study, 40 healthy human knee specimens were harvested; first the CCZ was dissected and observed by Safranin O/fast green staining, then CCZ chemical characteristics were measured by using amino acid assay and X-ray diffraction. The percentage of dry weight of type II collagen as an organic compound of CCZ was 20.16% ± 0.96%, lower than that of the hyaline cartilage layer (61.39% ± 0.38%); the percentage of dry weight of hydroxyapatite as an inorganic compound was 65.09% ± 2.31%, less than that of subchondral bone (85.78% ± 3.42%). Our study provides the accurate data for the reconstruction of the CCZ in vitro and the elucidation of CCZ structure and function.
Center for Joint Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Ying
Y
Zhang
Fuyou
F
Wang
Hongbo
H
Tan
Guangxing
G
Chen
Lin
L
Guo
Liu
L
Yang
D000328:Adult; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000378:metabolism*; D024043:Collagen Type II / Q000378:metabolism; D017886:Durapatite / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000378:metabolism*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction; D055815:Young Adult
D024043:Collagen Type II; D008903:Minerals; D017886:Durapatite