Giant crystals inside mitochondria of equine chondrocytes.
Abstract: The present study reports for the first time the presence of giant crystals in mitochondria of equine chondrocytes. These structures show dark contrast in TEM images as well as a granular substructure of regularly aligned 1-2 nm small units. Different zone axes of the crystalline structure were analysed by means of Fourier transformation of lattice-resolution TEM images proving the crystalline nature of the structure. Elemental analysis reveals a high content of nitrogen referring to protein. The outer shape of the crystals is geometrical with an up to hexagonal profile in cross sections. It is elongated, spanning a length of several micrometres through the whole cell. In some chondrocytes, several crystals were found, sometimes combined in a single mitochondrion. Crystals were preferentially aligned along the long axis of the cells, thus appearing in the same orientation as the chondrocytes in the tissue. Although no similar structures have been found in the cartilage of any other species investigated, they have been found in cartilage repair tissue formed within a mechanically stimulated equine chondrocyte construct. Crystals were mainly located in superficial regions of cartilage, especially in joint regions of well-developed superficial layers, more often in yearlings than in adult horses. These results indicate that intramitochondrial crystals are related to the high mechanical stress in the horse joint and potentially also to the increased metabolic activity of immature individuals.
Publication Date: 2016-12-24 PubMed ID: 28013370PubMed Central: PMC5400799DOI: 10.1007/s00418-016-1516-6Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article describes the discovery of large crystals within the mitochondria of horse chondrocytes (cartilage cells). The study suggests that these crystals, which are shown to have high nitrogen content indicating they are protein-based, are likely tied to the mechanical stress in horse joints and possibly also to the higher metabolic activity in younger horses.
Discovery of Crystals in Horse Chondrocyte Mitochondria
- The researchers reported for the first time the presence of giant crystals inside the mitochondria of equine chondrocytes. These structures are shown to have a granular substructure of regularly aligned tiny units, which appear dark in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images.
- Demonstrating the crystalline nature of these structures, different zone axes of the crystals were analyzed via Fourier transformation of lattice-resolution TEM images.
- Elemental analysis of the crystals showed a strong presence of nitrogen, suggesting they consist mainly of protein.
Characteristics of the Crystals
- The crystals have an regular geometric shape, with cross sections displaying up to hexagonal profiles.
- The crystals are elongated, stretching several micrometres across the cell, with some cells housing multiple crystals, occasionally grouped within a single mitochondrion.
- Notably, the crystals were found to be preferentially aligned along the long axis of the cells, appearing in similar orientation to the chondrocytes within the tissue.
Occurrence of the Crystals
- Superficial regions of cartilage, particularly the joint regions of well-developed superficial layers, exhibited the crystals more frequently.
- Notably, these crystals appeared more often in yearlings (young horses) compared to adult horses. This observation hints at a potential link between these mitochondria crystals and the higher metabolic activity in immature animals.
- The only other instance of these crystals being identified was in cartilage repair tissue from a mechanically stimulated equine chondrocyte construct.
Implication of the Findings
- The findings suggest that the crystals might be associated with the high mechanical stress experienced in horse joints. Their occurrence in mechanically stimulated cartilage repair tissue supports this hypothesis.
- Further studies are required to validate these findings and to understand the role and function of these intramitochondrial crystals thoroughly.
Cite This Article
APA
Nürnberger S, Rentenberger C, Thiel K, Schädl B, Grunwald I, Ponomarev I, Marlovits S, Meyer C, Barnewitz D.
(2016).
Giant crystals inside mitochondria of equine chondrocytes.
Histochem Cell Biol, 147(5), 635-649.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00418-016-1516-6 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria. sylvia.nuernberger@meduniwien.ac.at.
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, AUVA Research Center, Donaueschingenstrasse 13, 1200, Vienna, Austria. sylvia.nuernberger@meduniwien.ac.at.
- University Clinic of Dentistry, Medical University of Vienna, Sensengasse 2a, 1090, Vienna, Austria. sylvia.nuernberger@meduniwien.ac.at.
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria. sylvia.nuernberger@meduniwien.ac.at.
- Physics of Nanostructured Materials, Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna, Boltzmanngasse 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Adhesive Bonding Technology and Surfaces, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials, Wiener Strasse 12, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, AUVA Research Center, Donaueschingenstrasse 13, 1200, Vienna, Austria.
- University Clinic of Dentistry, Medical University of Vienna, Sensengasse 2a, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Adhesive Bonding Technology and Surfaces, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials, Wiener Strasse 12, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
- Research Centre for Medical Technics and Biotechnology, Geranienweg 7, 99947, Bad Langensalza, Germany.
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria.
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Traumatology, University of Giessen, Rudolf-Buchheim-Straße 7, 35385, Giessen, Germany.
- Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Klinikum Saarbrücken, Winterberg 1, 66119, Saarbrücken, Germany.
- Research Centre for Medical Technics and Biotechnology, Geranienweg 7, 99947, Bad Langensalza, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cartilage, Articular / cytology
- Cartilage, Articular / ultrastructure
- Chondrocytes / cytology
- Chondrocytes / ultrastructure
- Horses
- Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
- Mitochondria / chemistry
- Mitochondria / ultrastructure
- Stress, Mechanical
Conflict of Interest Statement
CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest except of the research grants mentioned in the funding section. ETHICAL APPROVAL: All applicable international, national and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed. All procedures performed in studies involving animals were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution or practice at which the studies were conducted.
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