The distribution of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in equine carpal articular cartilage and its variation with exercise and cartilage deterioration.
Abstract: Based on previous studies where tendons receiving the most load have been shown to have the highest levels of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), we hypothesized that COMP distribution in articular cartilage may be influenced by mechanical loading. This investigation aimed (a) to describe the pattern of COMP immunoreactivity in middle carpal joint cartilage of two-year-old Thoroughbred horses; (b) to determine topographical variations; (c) to compare high (group 1) and low (group 2) intensity training and (d) to describe COMP immunoreactivity at sites with early osteoarthritis. Group 1 (n =6) underwent a 19 week high-intensity treadmill training programme and group 2 (n =6) were given daily walking until euthanasia. Dorsal and palmar sites on radial and third carpal articular surfaces were prepared. Immunohistochemistry was performed with polyclonal rabbit anti-equine COMP antiserum using a biotin-streptavidin/peroxidase method. Results showed: (a) intracellular immunoreactivity was present in all cartilage zones, but the distribution of COMP staining within the matrix varied between cartilage zones; (b) differences in distribution between sites were not observed, but total COMP levels in exercised horses (n =2) did vary between sites with dorsal sites containing less COMP than palmar sites on the radial, intermediate and third carpal lateral facet; (c) group 1 cartilage showed marked interterritorial distribution in the deep layer compared to group 2 where staining was more generalized throughout the matrix and (d) fibrillated cartilage showed increased local immunoreactivity in the matrix. These findings demonstrate zonal variations in equine COMP distribution which may be influenced by loading.
Copyright 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.
Publication Date: 2001-09-05 PubMed ID: 11531396DOI: 10.1053/tvjl.2001.0590Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research paper investigates the distribution of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in horse cartilage and it’s variation with exercise and cartilage damage. It details a study that observes the COMP consumption in carpal articular cartilage of two-year-old Thoroughbred horses undergoing different intensities of exercise and displays evidence that loading implicates its distribution.
Research Aim and Methodology
- The research aimed to:
- Determine the pattern of COMP in the middle carpal joint cartilage of two-year-old Thoroughbred horses.
- Investigate topographical variations of COMP distribution, and compare results between high and low intensity training.
- Examine the COMP distribution in areas exhibiting early signs of osteoarthritis.
- The research was carried out on two groups of horses, Group 1 underwent a high-intensity 19-week treadmill training program whereas Group 2 did daily walking until euthanasia.
- Tests were conducted on dorsal and palmar sites of radial and third carpal articular surfaces.
- Immunohistochemistry was used to test COMP presence in samples using a biotin-streptavidin/peroxidase method.
Findings of the Research
- COMP was observed in all cartilage zones but its distribution varied across different zones.
- The study didn’t find differential distribution between sites. However, dorsal sites were found to contain less COMP than palmar sites.
- Group 1 cartilage showed marked interterritorial distribution in the deep layer compared to Group 2 where COMP staining was more generalized throughout the cartilage matrix.
- Fibrillated cartilage had increased local immunoreactivity in the matrix denoting an increase in COMP.
Conclusions Derived from the Research
- The investigation uncovers significant zonal variations in equine COMP distribution.
- The study findings suggest that the distribution of COMP may be influenced by the amount of loading undergone by the cartilage, indicated by differences observed in the Group 1 samples that underwent high-intensity exercise.
Cite This Article
APA
Murray RC, Smith RK, Henson FM, Goodship A.
(2001).
The distribution of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in equine carpal articular cartilage and its variation with exercise and cartilage deterioration.
Vet J, 162(2), 121-128.
https://doi.org/10.1053/tvjl.2001.0590 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket CB8 7UU, UK. rachel.murray@aht.org.uk
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Carpus, Animal
- Cartilage, Articular / metabolism
- Extracellular Matrix Proteins / metabolism
- Glycoproteins / metabolism
- Horse Diseases / metabolism
- Horses
- Immunohistochemistry / veterinary
- Matrilin Proteins
- Osteoarthritis / metabolism
- Osteoarthritis / veterinary
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Di Bella C, Fosang A, Donati DM, Wallace GG, Choong PF. 3D Bioprinting of Cartilage for Orthopedic Surgeons: Reading between the Lines. Front Surg 2015;2:39.
- Mienaltowski MJ, Huang L, Frisbie DD, McIlwraith CW, Stromberg AJ, Bathke AC, Macleod JN. Transcriptional profiling differences for articular cartilage and repair tissue in equine joint surface lesions. BMC Med Genomics 2009 Sep 14;2:60.
- Firth EC. The response of bone, articular cartilage and tendon to exercise in the horse. J Anat 2006 Apr;208(4):513-26.
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