title: Comprehensive analysis of translational osteochondral repair: Focus on the histological assessment.
abstract: Articular cartilage guarantees for an optimal functioning of diarthrodial joints by providing a gliding surface for smooth articulation, weight distribution, and shock absorbing while the subchondral bone plays a crucial role in its biomechanical and nutritive support. Both tissues together form the osteochondral unit. The structural assessment of the osteochondral unit is now considered the key standard procedure for evaluating articular cartilage repair in translational animal models. The aim of this review is to give a detailed overview of the different methods for a comprehensive evaluation of osteochondral repair. The main focus is on the histological assessment as the gold standard, together with immunohistochemistry, and polarized light microscopy. Additionally, standards of macroscopic, non-destructive imaging such as high resolution MRI and micro-CT, biochemical, and molecular biological evaluations are addressed. Potential pitfalls of analysis are outlined. A second focus is to suggest recommendations for osteochondral evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Center of Experimental Orthopaedics and Osteoarthritis Research, Saarland University, Kirrberger Strasse 100, Building 37, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Saarland University Medical Center, Kirrberger Strasse 100, Building 37, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany. Electronic address: patrick.orth@uks.eu.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Orth
authors.affiliation: Center of Experimental Orthopaedics and Osteoarthritis Research, Saarland University, Kirrberger Strasse 100, Building 37, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany. Electronic address: carolin.peifer@gmx.de.
authors.forename: Carolin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Peifer
authors.affiliation: Center of Experimental Orthopaedics and Osteoarthritis Research, Saarland University, Kirrberger Strasse 100, Building 37, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Saarland University Medical Center, Kirrberger Strasse 100, Building 37, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany. Electronic address: lars.goebel@uks.eu.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Goebel
authors.affiliation: Center of Experimental Orthopaedics and Osteoarthritis Research, Saarland University, Kirrberger Strasse 100, Building 37, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany. Electronic address: mmcucchiarini@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Magali
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cucchiarini
authors.affiliation: Center of Experimental Orthopaedics and Osteoarthritis Research, Saarland University, Kirrberger Strasse 100, Building 37, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Saarland University Medical Center, Kirrberger Strasse 100, Building 37, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany. Electronic address: henning.madry@uks.eu.
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Madry
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000473:pathology; D023421:Models, Animal; D010007:Osteochondritis / Q000473:pathology*; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D014945:Wound Healing
keywords: Animal model; Articular cartilage; Histology; Osteochondral unit; Subchondral bone