Induced superficial chondrocyte death reduces catabolic cartilage damage in murine posttraumatic osteoarthritis

• DOI: 10.1172/jci83676
• Publication Date: 2016-07-17T22:00:42Z
• Authors: Minjie Zhang; Sriniwasan B. Mani; Yao He; Amber M. Hall; Lin Xu; Yefu Li; David Zurakowski; Gregory D. Jay; Matthew L. Warman
• Keywords: Cartilage damage; Chondrogenesis

Joints that have degenerated as a result of aging or injury contain dead chondrocytes and damaged cartilage. Some studies suggested chondrocyte death precedes cartilage damage, but how the loss affects integrity is not clear. In this study, we examined whether undermines in using rapid 3D confocal imaging technique coupled with standard histology. We induced autonomous expression diphtheria toxin to kill articular surface mice determined did lead damage. Moreover, damage after surgical destabilization medial meniscus knee was increased intact compared animals whose had been killed, suggesting does drive response injury. These data imply catabolism, death, contributes following Therefore, therapies targeted at reducing catabolic phenotype may protect against degenerative joint disease.