| 1. |
- Hellberg, I., et al.
(author)
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3D analysis and grading of calcifications from ex vivo human meniscus
- 2023
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In: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. - : Elsevier BV. - 1063-4584. ; 31:4, s. 482-492
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: Meniscal calcifications are associated with the pathogenesis of knee osteoarthritis (OA). We propose a micro-computed tomography (μCT) based 3D analysis of meniscal calcifications ex vivo, including a new grading system. Method: Human medial and lateral menisci were obtained from 10 patients having total knee replacement for medial compartment OA and 10 deceased donors without knee OA (healthy references). The samples were fixed; one subsection was imaged with μCT, and the adjacent tissue was processed for histological evaluation. Calcifications were examined from the reconstructed 3D μCT images, and a new grading system was developed. To validate the grading system, meniscal calcification volumes (CVM) were quantitatively analyzed and compared between the calcification grades. Furthermore, we estimated the relationship between histopathological degeneration and the calcification severity. Results: 3D μCT images depict calcifications in every sample, including diminutive calcifications that are not visible in histology. In the new grading system, starting from grade 2, each grade results in a CVM that is 20.3 times higher (95% CI 13.3–30.5) than in the previous grade. However, there was no apparent difference in CVM between grades 1 and 2. The calcification grades appear to increase with the increasing histopathological degeneration, although histopathological degeneration is also observed with small calcification grades. Conclusions: 3D μCT grading of meniscal calcifications is feasible. Interestingly, it seems that there are two patterns of degeneration in the menisci of our sample set: 1) with diminutive calcifications (calcification grades 1–2), and 2) with large to widespread calcifications (calcification grades 3–5).
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| 2. |
- Karjalainen, V. P., et al.
(author)
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Quantitative three-dimensional collagen orientation analysis of human meniscus posterior horn in health and osteoarthritis using micro-computed tomography
- 2021
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In: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. - : Elsevier BV. - 1063-4584. ; 29:5, s. 762-772
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is associated with meniscal degeneration that may involve disorganization of the meniscal collagen fiber network. Our aims were to quantitatively analyze the microstructural organization of human meniscus samples in 3D using micro-computed tomography (μCT), and to compare the local microstructural organization between OA and donor samples. Method: We collected posterior horns of both medial and lateral human menisci from 10 end-stage medial compartment knee OA patients undergoing total knee replacement (medial & lateral OA) and 10 deceased donors without knee OA (medial & lateral donor). Posterior horns were dissected and fixed in formalin, dehydrated in ascending ethanol concentrations, treated with hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS), and imaged with μCT. We performed local orientation analysis of collagenous microstructure in 3D by calculating structure tensors from greyscale gradients within selected integration window to determine the polar angle for each voxel. Results: In donor samples, meniscus bundles were aligned circumferentially around the inner border of meniscus. In medial OA menisci, the organized structure of collagen network was lost, and main orientation was shifted away from the circumferential alignment. Quantitatively, medial OA menisci had the lowest mean orientation angle compared to all groups, −24° (95%CI -31 to −18) vs medial donor and −25° (95%CI -34 to −15) vs lateral OA. Conclusions: HMDS-based μCT imaging enabled quantitative analysis of meniscal collagen fiber bundles and their orientations in 3D. In human medial OA menisci, the collagen disorganization was profound with overall lower orientation angles, suggesting collagenous microstructure disorganization as an important part of meniscus degradation.
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| 3. |
- Lorenzo, P., et al.
(author)
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Quantification of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and a COMP neoepitope in synovial fluid of patients with different joint disorders by novel automated assays
- 2017
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In: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. - : Elsevier BV. - 1063-4584. ; 25:9, s. 1436-1442
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To develop automated immunoassays for the quantification of Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (COMP) and a COMP neoepitope in synovial fluid and to investigate their diagnostic potential in different joint conditions. Methods: Two sandwich immunoassays were developed for the quantification of COMP and a COMP neoepitope, using an automated analyser (IDS-iSYS, Immunodiagnostic Systems, Boldon, UK). Assay performance was evaluated in terms of sensitivity, recovery, linearity, and intra- and inter-assay precision. Clinical performance was evaluated by analysing synovial fluid from patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), reactive arthritis (ReA), osteoarthritis (OA) or acute trauma (AT). Results: Both automated assays showed good performance for all parameters tested. Quantification of these biomarkers showed the highest median values for Total COMP in the OA group, followed by the AT group, the ReA group, and the RA group. For the COMP neoepitope the AT group showed the highest median value, followed by the ReA group, the OA group, and the RA group. The ratio COMP neoepitope/Total COMP showed distinct differences between the patients groups, as well as between RA patients with slow or rapid progression of joint damage. Conclusions: The newly developed automated assays have a good technical performance, can reliably quantify different epitopes on the COMP molecule and show different levels of the two biomarkers in synovial fluid in patients with different joint diseases. The combination of these two assays, measuring their ratio, shows promise for early detection of patients with RA with different prognosis regarding progression of joint damage.
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| 4. |
- Olsson, E., et al.
(author)
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Ultra-high field magnetic resonance imaging parameter mapping in the posterior horn of ex vivo human menisci
- 2019
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In: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. - : Elsevier BV. - 1063-4584. ; 27:3, s. 476-483
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To investigate the relationship between meniscus magnetic resonance (MR) relaxation parameters and meniscus degradation through quantitative imaging of ex vivo posterior horns of menisci from subjects with and without knee osteoarthritis (OA). Design: We sampled medial and lateral menisci from ten medial compartment knee OA patients (mean age 63 years) undergoing total knee replacement and from ten deceased donors (references, mean age 51 years). MR relaxation parameters T2*, T2 and T1 of the posterior horn were measured at a 9.4 T scanner. Comparisons were made between OA patients and references (with adjustment for age) as well as between medial and lateral menisci from the same knees. Results: Mean values (standard deviation) of mean T2* were 13 (3.8), 6.9 (2.3), 7.2 (1.9) and 7.2 (1.7) ms for the medial and lateral patient menisci and the medial and lateral reference menisci, respectively. Corresponding values were 17 (3.7), 9.0 (2.2), 12 (4) and 9.0 (1.3) ms for T2 and 1810 (150), 1630 (30), 1580 (90) and 1560 (50) ms for T1. All three relaxation times were significantly longer in medial OA menisci compared to the other groups. Among medial reference menisci, relaxation times (mainly T1) tended to increase with age. Conclusions: MR relaxation times T2*, T2 and T1 in the posterior horn are longer in the medial menisci of patients with end-stage medial compartment knee OA compared to the corresponding lateral menisci and to reference menisci. The meniscus seems to undergo intrasubstance alterations related to both OA and ageing.
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| 5. |
- Folkesson, E., et al.
(author)
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Proteomic comparison of osteoarthritic and reference human menisci using data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry
- 2020
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In: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. - : Elsevier BV. - 1063-4584. ; 28:8, s. 1092-1101
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: Recent research in knee osteoarthritis (OA) highlights the role of the meniscus in OA pathology. Our aim was to compare the proteomes of medial and lateral menisci from end-stage medial compartment knee OA patients, with reference menisci from knee-healthy deceased donors, using mass spectrometry. Design: Tissue plugs of Ø3 mm were obtained from the posterior horns of the lateral and medial menisci from one knee of 10 knee-healthy deceased donors and 10 patients undergoing knee replacement. Proteins were extracted and prepared for mass spectrometric analysis. Statistical analysis was conducted on abundance data that was log2-transformed, using a linear mixed effects model and evaluated using pathway analysis. Results: We identified a total of 835 proteins in all samples, of which 331 were included in the statistical analysis. The largest differences could be seen between the medial menisci from OA patients and references, with most proteins showing higher intensities in the medial menisci from OA patients. Several matrix proteins, e.g., matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) (4.3 times higher values [95%CI 1.8, 10.6]), TIMP1 (3.5 [1.4, 8.5]), asporin (4.1 [1.7, 10.0]) and versican (4.4 [1.8, 10.9]), all showed higher abundance in medial menisci from OA patients compared to medial reference menisci. OA medial menisci also showed increased activation of several pathways involved in inflammation. Conclusion: An increase in protein abundance for proteins such as MMP and TIMP1 in the medial menisci from OA patients suggests simultaneous activation of both catabolic and anabolic processes that warrants further attention.
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| 6. |
- Franzén, Ahnders, et al.
(author)
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Altered osteoclast development and function in osteopontin deficient mice.
- 2008
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In: Journal of Orthopaedic Research. - : Wiley. - 1554-527X .- 0736-0266. ; 26:5, s. 721-728
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The role of osteopontin in bone resorption was elucidated by studies of mice with knock out of the osteopontin gene generated by a different approach compared to previous models. Thus, a targeting vector with the promoter region as well as exons 1, 2, and 3 of the osteopontin gene was replaced by a loxP-flanked Neo-TK cassette, and this cassette was eliminated through transient expression of Cre recombinase. The recombined ES cells were used to create mice lacking expression of the osteopontin gene. Tissues from these mice were subjected structural and molecular analyses including morphometry and proteomics. The bone of the null mice contained no osteopontin but showed no significant alterations with regard to other bone proteins. The bone volume was normal in young null animals but in the lower metaphysis, the volume and number of osteoclasts were increased. Notably, the volume and length of the osteoclast ruffled border was several folds lower, indicating a lower resorptive capacity. The null mice did not develop the bone loss characteristic for osteoporosis demonstrated in old wild-type female animals. This quantitative study demonstrates a bone phenotype in the osteopontin null mice of all ages. The data provides further evidence for a role of osteopontin in osteoclast activity. (c) 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res.
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| 7. |
- Grimm, C. H., et al.
(author)
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Selective extraction of small proteins from biological samples using a novel restricted access column with cation exchange properties
- 2000
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In: Chromatographia. - 0009-5893. ; 52:11-12, s. 703-709
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The determination of proteins utilising a polymer-based restricted access support material with ion exchange properties (IERAM) is outlined. Solid phase extraction coupled on-line with a microbore reversed phase HPLC system for the quantitation of small marker proteins is demonstrated. The cation-exchange restricted access packings were characterised with respect to their adsorption and desorption kinetics. The IERAM material was also investigated by capacity, selectivity, and biocompatibility determinations when applied to the quantification of small molecular weight proteins such as cytochrome C, Lysozyme, Ribonuclease A, Myoglobin, Insulin, human serum albumin, and a Tryptic inhibitor. The integrated system was coupled to mass identity of selected proteins by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The chromatographic outlet was interfaced to an "Interplate" fractionation collecter that sampled 1 μL volumes directly onto the MALDI target plate. The fully automated coupled column system was run unattended overnight and applied to protein quantitations in human plasma samples. Recovery data for a selected number of proteins varied between 90-96% (n = 10) with a limit of quantification around 2 μM with an injection volume of 100 μL. The RSD data were typically less than 8% at a 50 μM protein level (n = 7).
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| 8. |
- Hessle, Lovisa, et al.
(author)
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The skeletal phenotype of chondroadherin deficient mice.
- 2013
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In: PLoS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 8:6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Chondroadherin, a leucine rich repeat extracellular matrix protein with functions in cell to matrix interactions, binds cells via their α2β1 integrin as well as via cell surface proteoglycans, providing for different sets of signals to the cell. Additionally, the protein acts as an anchor to the matrix by binding tightly to collagens type I and II as well as type VI. We generated mice with inactivated chondroadherin gene to provide integrated studies of the role of the protein. The null mice presented distinct phenotypes with affected cartilage as well as bone. At 3-6 weeks of age the epiphyseal growth plate was widened most pronounced in the proliferative zone. The proteome of the femoral head articular cartilage at 4 months of age showed some distinct differences, with increased deposition of cartilage intermediate layer protein 1 and fibronectin in the chondroadherin deficient mice, more pronounced in the female. Other proteins show decreased levels in the deficient mice, particularly pronounced for matrilin-1, thrombospondin-1 and notably the members of the α1-antitrypsin family of proteinase inhibitors as well as for a member of the bone morphogenetic protein growth factor family. Thus, cartilage homeostasis is distinctly altered. The bone phenotype was expressed in several ways. The number of bone sialoprotein mRNA expressing cells in the proximal tibial metaphysic was decreased and the osteoid surface was increased possibly indicating a change in mineral metabolism. Micro-CT revealed lower cortical thickness and increased structure model index, i.e. the amount of plates and rods composing the bone trabeculas. The structural changes were paralleled by loss of function, where the null mice showed lower femoral neck failure load and tibial strength during mechanical testing at 4 months of age. The skeletal phenotype points at a role for chondroadherin in both bone and cartilage homeostasis, however, without leading to altered longitudinal growth.
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| 9. |
- Hsueh, Ming-Feng, et al.
(author)
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Analysis of "old" proteins unmasks dynamic gradient of cartilage turnover in human limbs
- 2019
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In: Science Advances. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 2375-2548. ; 5:10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Unlike highly regenerative animals, such as axolotls, humans are believed to be unable to counteract cumulative damage, such as repetitive joint use and injury that lead to the breakdown of cartilage and the development of osteoarthritis. Turnover of insoluble collagen has been suggested to be very limited in human adult cartilage. The goal of this study was to explore protein turnover in articular cartilage from human lower limb joints. Analyzing molecular clocks in the form of nonenzymatically deamidated proteins, we unmasked a position-dependent gradient (distal high, proximal low) of protein turnover, indicative of a gradient of tissue anabolism reflecting innate tissue repair capacity in human lower limb cartilages that is associated with expression of limb-regenerative microRNAs. This association shows a potential link to a capacity, albeit limited, for regeneration that might be exploited to enhance joint repair and establish a basis for human limb regeneration.
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| 10. |
- Hsueh, Ming-Feng, et al.
(author)
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Cartilage matrix remodelling differs by disease state and joint type
- 2017
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In: European Cells and Materials. - 1473-2262. ; 34, s. 70-82
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Dramatic alterations in mechanical properties have been documented for osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage. However, the matrix composition underlying these changes has not been mapped and their aetiology is not entirely understood. We hypothesised that an understanding of the cartilage matrix heterogeneity could provide insights into the origin of these OA-related alterations. We generated serial transverse cryo sections for 7 different cartilage conditions: 2 joint sites (knee and hip), 2 disease states (healthy and OA) and 3 tissue depths (superficial, middle and deep). By laser capture microscopy, we acquired ~200 cartilage matrix specimens from territorial (T) and interterritorial (IT) regions for all 7 conditions. A standardised matrix area was collected for each condition for a total of 0.02 ± 0.001 mm3 (corresponding to 20 µg of tissue) from a total of 4800 specimens. Extracted proteins were analysed for abundance by targeted proteomics. For most proteins, a lower IT/T ratio was observed for the OA disease state and knee joint type. A major cause of the altered IT/T ratios was the decreased protein abundance in IT regions. The collagenase-derived type III collagen neo-epitope, indicative of collagen proteolysis, was significantly more abundant in OA cartilage. In addition, it was enriched on average of 1.45-fold in IT relative to T matrix. These results were consistent with an elevated proteolysis in IT regions of OA cartilage, due to degenerative influences originating from synovial tissue and/or produced locally by chondrocytes. In addition, they offered direct evidence for dynamic remodelling of cartilage and provided a cogent biochemical template for understanding the alterations of matrix mechanical properties.
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