Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Osteochondrosis in dogs linked to MMP-13 and joint stress
By Kuroki, K et al.·Published in Osteoarthritis and cartilage·2005·University of Missouri, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Characterizing osteochondrosis in the dog: potential roles for matrix metalloproteinases and mechanical load in pathogenesis and disease progression.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with osteochondrosis (a joint condition that can cause pain and limping) had their cartilage analyzed to understand what might be causing the disease. Researchers found that certain proteins related to cartilage health were present in higher amounts in affected dogs compared to healthy ones. They also discovered that cartilage exposed to no mechanical stress (weight) showed signs of deterioration. This suggests that proper weight-bearing activities might help maintain healthy cartilage and prevent the progression of osteochondrosis.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To address possible roles of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and mechanical stress in the pathogenesis of osteochondrosis (OC). METHODS: Naturally-occurring canine OC lesions (n=50) were immunohistochemically analyzed for MMP-1, -3, and -13, and normal canine articular cartilage explants (n=6) cultured under 0-, 2-, or 4-MPa compressive loads (0.1 Hz, 20 min every 8 h up to 12 days) were compared to OC samples (n=4) biochemically and molecularly. RESULTS: MMP-1 and -3 immunoreactivities were readily detected in both OC samples and control tissues obtained from age-matched dogs (n=11) whereas MMP-13 was only detectable in OC samples. MMP-13 gene expression as determined by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was elevated in OC samples and cartilage explants cultured without mechanical stimuli (0 MPa groups) compared to normal cartilage (day 0 controls). Glycosaminoglycan content (per weight) in cartilage explants cultured under no load was significantly (P<0.05) lower on day 12 than in the day 0 controls. Gene expression levels of aggrecan and type II collagen in OC samples were lower than those in the day 0 controls. High levels of aggrecan and collagen II expression were seen in the 2 MPa groups. CONCLUSIONS: These findings imply that impaired biochemical characteristics in OC-affected cartilage may be attributable to decreased extracellular matrix production that may stem from disruption of normal weight bearing forces.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15727889/