7. Pathogenesis of osteoarthritis - Lesley Robson Flashcards
Give the structure of a synovial joint
Two bones almost meet each other with articular (hyaline) cartilage at the ends (ends of the bones are capped with articular cartilage
Synovial cavity - filled with synovial fluid
Synovial membrane surrounds this
All contained within the articular capsule
What is the function of synovial fluid?
Acts as a lubricant to produce almost frictionless, smooth movement of the joint
What is the articular capsule composed of?
Synovial membrane
Fibrous capsule
What is articular cartilage and where is it found in a joint capsule?
Hyaline cartilage
Caps the ends of bones in synovial joint
What is the function of the articular cartilage? x2
Reduces friction and increase range of movement
Shock absorber
How does hyaline cartilage carry out it’s function?
This provides a smooth, slippery surface at the ends of the bones to reduce friction and to help absorb impacts
Articular hyaline cartilage contains a lot of water (remember that bone is only 5% water) so acts as a sponge and a shock absorber to protect the underlying bone from damage (the weight and force placed on bone is absorbed by the high water content of the hyaline cartilage)
What is a ‘tide mark’?
This is where the articular hyaline cartilage merges with the underlying bone - the cartilage is calcified to merge and this leaves the mark
Why does hyaline cartilage not show on an x-ray and what will be seen instead?
X-ray only images dense tissue i.e. where the calcium salts are - so will show the bone but not the articular cartilage
X-ray will show an apparent space where the articular cartilage actually lies
What are the layers of articular cartilage?
Superficial/tangenital zone Middle/transitional zone Deep/radial zone Tide mark Calcified zone Subchondral zone Cancellous bone
Describe the appearance of the chondrocytes and the collagen orientation of the superficial/tangenital zone
Small, reserve cells - these sit on the surface of the cartilage - these cells are very slowly proliferating - flat and small and in greater density
Collagen fibres are parallel with the surface of the cartilage - nice smooth surface
Describe the appearance of the chondrocytes and the collagen orientation of the medial/transitional zone
These cells increase in size - rounder larger and sparser
Collagen fibres are haphazard and in crisscross arrangement - forms pockets where proteoglycans sit
Describe the appearance of the chondrocytes and the collagen orientation of the deep/radial zone
These cells are larger - hypertrophied and start to produce alkaline vesicles
The chondrocytes stack up as they have proliferated
Cartilage then merges with the underlying bone and there is a tidemark
Collagen fibres are perpendicular to the surface and follows the stacks of the chondrocytes
What are the cells found in cartilage?
Chondrocytes
What is the function of chondrocytes?
These regulate both the synthetic and the catabolic processes
Are continually making more ECM i.e. proteoglycans and also removing the old and damaged proteoglycans
Where are chondrocytes found in the hyaline/articular cartilage?
Each chondrocyte sits in its own lacuna
Chondrocytes have low levels of what organelle and why?
Low number of mitochondria - low energy/O2 consumption
Function of negatively proteoglycans of the articular cartilage is?
Draws water into the articular cartilage from the surrounding synovial fluid
What is the role of the chondrocytes in the superficial zone of cartilage?
These act as reserve cells - these add to the deeper layer when and if required
What is the ECM of cartilage composed of?
80% water
Collagen type II
No neurovasculature or lymphatic vessels
What cells produce the ECM of cartilage?
Chondrocytes
Sit in lacunae
What types of collagen are found in the ECM of cartilage?
Mainly type II
Very small levels of type X - this is found in higher levels in the calcified deeper levels
What collagen type is particularly found in the deeper, calcified layer of the cartilage?
Collagen type X
Where do proteoglycans sit in cartilage?
Transitional layer in pockets produced from the transitional structure of the collagen fibres in this layer
How do proteoglycans exist in cartilage?
What is the collagen type that holds the proteoglycans?
Proteoglycans are present as aggregates - not on their own
Collagen type II holds PGs in place