Biochemical and biomechanical characterisation of equine cervical facet joint cartilage.
Abstract: The equine cervical facet joint is a site of significant pathology. Located bilaterally on the dorsal spine, these diarthrodial joints work in conjunction with the intervertebral disc to facilitate appropriate spinal motion. Despite the high prevalence of pathology in this joint, the facet joint is understudied and thus lacking in viable treatment options. Objective: The goal of this study was to characterise equine facet joint cartilage and provide a comprehensive database describing the morphological, histological, biochemical and biomechanical properties of this tissue. Methods: Descriptive cadaver studies. Methods: A total of 132 facet joint surfaces were harvested from the cervical spines of six skeletally mature horses (11 surfaces per animal) for compiling biomechanical and biochemical properties of hyaline cartilage of the equine cervical facet joints. Gross morphometric measurements and histological staining were performed on facet joint cartilage. Creep indentation and uniaxial strain-to-failure testing were used to determine the biomechanical compressive and tensile properties. Biochemical assays included quantification of total collagen, sulfated glycosaminoglycan and DNA content. Results: The facet joint surfaces were ovoid in shape with a flat articular surface. Histological analyses highlighted structures akin to articular cartilage of other synovial joints. In general, biomechanical and biochemical properties did not differ significantly between the inferior and superior joint surfaces as well as among spinal levels. Interestingly, compressive and tensile properties of cervical facet articular cartilage were lower than those of articular cartilage from other previously characterised equine joints. Removal of the superficial zone reduced the tissue's tensile strength, suggesting that this zone is important for the tensile integrity of the tissue. Conclusions: Facet surfaces were sampled at a single, central location and do not capture the potential topographic variation in cartilage properties. Conclusions: This is the first study to report the properties of equine cervical facet joint cartilage and may serve as the foundation for the development of future tissue-engineered replacements as well as other treatment strategies.
© 2018 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2018-05-17 PubMed ID: 29658148DOI: 10.1111/evj.12845Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study offers an in-depth characterization of equine cervical facet joint cartilage, revealing that its biochemical and biomechanical properties are critical, but somewhat lower than that of other equine joints. The findings are intended to underpin future research into treatment strategies and potential tissue-engineered replacements.
About the Research
- This research focuses on the equine cervical facet joint, a diarthrodial joint located bilaterally on the dorsal spine. These joints work with the intervertebral disc in a horse’s spine to allow for appropriate spinal motion. Despite their importance, these joints remain understudied, leading to a lack of effective treatment options.
- The main aim of the study was to generate a comprehensive characterization of the equine facet joint cartilage. This included gathering data about the joint’s morphological, histological, biochemical and biomechanical properties.
- A comprehensive database was created using a total of 132 facet joint surfaces harvested from the cervical spines of six mature horses. The techniques used included gross morphometric measurements, histological staining, creep indentation and uniaxial strain-to-failure testing.
Findings of the Research
- The surfaces of the facet joint were found to be ovoid in shape and flat. The histological studies revealed structures that are similar to the articular cartilage of other synovial joints.
- Both the biomechanical properties, including compressive and tensile aspects, and the biochemical characteristics, such as total collagen, sulfated glycosaminoglycan and DNA content, were found to be quite consistent across inferior and superior joint surfaces, as well as across different spinal levels.
- Interestingly, the study found that the compressive and tensile properties of the cervical facet articular cartilage were lower than those of other previously studied equine joints.
- Another key observation is that removal of the superficial zone led to a reduction in the tissue’s tensile strength, showcasing the importance of this zone for the tensile integrity of the tissue.
Conclusion and Impact of the Research
- One limitation of the study was that aspect surfaces were sampled at a central location, which does not necessarily capture any topographical differences in cartilage properties.
- This study, being the first to report the properties of equine cervical facet joint cartilage, could therefore be considered a cornerstone for the development of future tissue-engineered replacements and other therapeutic strategies.
Cite This Article
APA
O'Leary SA, White JL, Hu JC, Athanasiou KA.
(2018).
Biochemical and biomechanical characterisation of equine cervical facet joint cartilage.
Equine Vet J, 50(6), 800-808.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12845 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, California, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Cartilage, Articular / anatomy & histology
- Cartilage, Articular / chemistry
- Cartilage, Articular / physiology
- Cervical Vertebrae / anatomy & histology
- Cervical Vertebrae / chemistry
- Cervical Vertebrae / physiology
- Collagen / analysis
- Glycosaminoglycans / analysis
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / physiology
- Photomicrography / veterinary
- Tensile Strength
- Zygapophyseal Joint / anatomy & histology
- Zygapophyseal Joint / chemistry
- Zygapophyseal Joint / physiology
Grant Funding
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
- UL1 TR001860 / National Institutes of Health
- TL1 TR001861 / National Institutes of Health
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Alini M, Diwan AD, Erwin WM, Little CB, Melrose J. An update on animal models of intervertebral disc degeneration and low back pain: Exploring the potential of artificial intelligence to improve research analysis and development of prospective therapeutics. JOR Spine 2023 Mar;6(1):e1230.
- Nordberg RC, Kim AN, Hight JM, Meka RS, Elder BD, Hu JC, Athanasiou KA. Biochemical and biomechanical characterization of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar facet joint cartilage in the Yucatan minipig. J Biomech 2022 Sep;142:111238.
- Nordberg RC, Espinosa MG, Hu JC, Athanasiou KA. A Tribological Comparison of Facet Joint, Sacroiliac Joint, and Knee Cartilage in the Yucatan Minipig. Cartilage 2021 Dec;13(2_suppl):346S-355S.
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