Metabolic responses of meniscal tissue to collagenase stimulation
Abstract
[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Meniscal degeneration as a result of injury or aging is a common contributing factor in the development of knee OA. Meniscal degeneration develops and progresses due to mechanical, inflammatory, and degradative processes. However, the timing, roles, and interplay of these mechanisms of meniscal degeneration are poorly understood. Further, the contributions of whole-joint inflammatory and degradative mediators to meniscal degeneration are also not fully known. Collagenases, produced by meniscus, articular cartilage, and/or synovium, are considered to be major contributors to meniscal degeneration through enzymatic degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, including glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and collagen. The objective of this study was to utilize an ex vivo model to determine the responses of normal meniscus to pathophysiologic levels of collagenase activity. It was hypothesized that meniscal explants exposed to pathophysiologic levels of collagenase would significantly increase production of inflammatory cytokines and degradative enzymes, in a dose-dependent manner, compared to controls.
Degree
M.S.
Thesis Department
Rights
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