Characterization of Knee Meniscal Pathology: Correlation of Gross, Histologic, Biochemical, Molecular, and Radiographic Measures of Disease

This study characterizes meniscal pathology in the presence of symptomatic osteoarthritis and correlates clinical and basic science data in an attempt to delineate clinically relevant mechanisms of disease. Twenty-seven knees from 23 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty comprised the affected group and 6 aged nonsymptomatic knees were used as controls. All meniscal tissues were harvested and subjectively scored for gross and histologic pathology. Biochemical analyses were performed to determine glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content, collagen (hydroxyproline) content, and water content. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis was conducted for genes involved in synthesis (collagens [col] 1, 2, 3, and 6), degradation (matrix metalloproteinases [MMP-1, -2, -3, -13]), and angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor). Weight-bearing, anterior-posterior radiographic views were used to determine joint space measurements for lateral and medial compartments, and were subjectively scored for osteoarthritic changes. Data were compared for statistically significant differences and to determine the presence and strength of correlations among variables assessed. Affected menisci had significantly higher gross and histologic pathology scores compared with control menisci. Affected menisci had significantly higher water, proteoglycan, and collagen content compared with control menisci. Col 1, 3, and 6 gene expression levels for the affected group were significantly increased co...
Source: Journal of Knee Surgery - Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research