Reduced primary cilia length and altered Arl13b expression are associated with deregulated chondrocyte Hedgehog signaling in alkaptonuria

Alkaptonuria (AKU) is a rare inherited disease resulting from a deficiency of the enzyme homogentisate 1,2‐dioxygenase which leads to the accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA). AKU is characterized by severe cartilage degeneration, similar to that observed in osteoarthritis. Previous studies suggest that AKU is associated with alterations in cytoskeletal organization which could modulate primary cilia structure/function. This study investigated whether AKU is associated with changes in chondrocyte primary cilia and associated Hedgehog signaling which mediates cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis. Human articular chondrocytes were obtained from healthy and AKU donors. Additionally, healthy chondrocytes were treated with HGA to replicate AKU pathology (+HGA). Diseased cells exhibited shorter cilia with length reductions of 36% and 16% in AKU and +HGA chondrocytes respectively, when compared to healthy controls. Both AKU and +HGA chondrocytes demonstrated disruption of the usual cilia length regulation by actin contractility. Furthermore, the proportion of cilia with axoneme breaks and bulbous tips was increased in AKU chondrocytes consistent with defective regulation of ciliary trafficking. Distribution of the Hedgehog‐related protein Arl13b along the ciliary axoneme was altered such that its localization was increased at the distal tip in AKU and +HGA chondrocytes. These changes in cilia structure/trafficking in AKU and +HGA chondrocytes were associated with a complete inability to activate Hedgehog signaling in response to exogenous ligand. Thus, we suggest that altered responsiveness to Hedgehog, as a consequence of cilia dysfunction, may be a contributing factor in the development of arthropathy highlighting the cilium as a novel target in AKU.     

Cell death in human articular chondrocyte: a morpho-functional study in micromass model

Chondrocyte death and loss of extracellular matrix are the central features in articular cartilage degeneration during osteoarthritis pathogenesis. Cartilage diseases and, in particular, osteoarthritis are widely correlated to apoptosis but, chondrocytes undergoing apoptosis “in vivo” more often display peculiar features that correspond to a distinct process of programmed cell death termed “chondroptosis”. Programmed cell death of primary human chondrocyte has been here investigated in micromasses, a tridimensional culture model, that represents a convenient means for studying chondrocyte biology. Cell death has been induced by different physical or chemical apoptotic agents, such as UVB radiation, hyperthermia and staurosporine delivered at both 1 and 3 weeks maturation. Conventional electron microscopy was used to analyse morphological changes. Occurrence of DNA fragmentation and caspase involvement were also investigated. At Transmission Electron Microscopy, control cells appear rounding or slightly elongated with plurilobated nucleus and diffusely dispersed chromatin. Typically UVB radiation and staurosporine induce chromatin apoptotic features, while hyperthermia triggers the “chondroptotic” phenotype. A weak TUNEL positivity appears in control, correlated to the well known cell death patterns occurring along cartilage differentiation. UVB radiation produces a strong positivity, mostly localized at the micromass periphery. After hyperthermia a higher number of fluorescent nuclei appears, in particular at 3 weeks. Staurosporine evidences a diffuse, but reduced, positivity. Therefore, DNA fragmentation is a common pattern in dying chondrocytes, both in apoptotic and “chondroptotic” cells. Moreover, all triggers induce caspase pathway activation, even if to a different extent, suggesting a fundamental role of apoptotic features, in chondrocyte cell death.     

Homogentisic acid induces morphological and mechanical aberration of ochronotic cartilage in alkaptonuria

Alkaptonuria (AKU) is a disease caused by a deficient homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase activity leading to systemic accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA), that forms a melanin-like polymer that progressively deposits onto connective tissues causing a pigmentation called “ochronosis” and tissue degeneration. The effects of AKU and ochronotic pigment on the biomechanical properties of articular cartilage need further investigation. To this aim, AKU cartilage was studied using thermal (thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry) and rheological analysis. We found that AKU cartilage had a doubled mesopore radius compared to healthy cartilage. Since the mesoporous structure is the main responsible for maintaining a correct hydrostatic pressure and tissue homoeostasis, drastic changes of thermal and rheological parameters were found in AKU. In particular, AKU tissue lost its capability to enhance chondrocytes metabolism (decreased heat capacity) and hence the production of proteoglycans. A drastic increase in stiffness and decrease in dissipative and lubricant role ensued in AKU cartilage. Multiphoton and scanning electron microscopies revealed destruction of cell–matrix microstructure and disruption of the superficial layer. Such observations on AKU specimens were confirmed in HGA-treated healthy cartilage, indicating that HGA is the toxic responsible of morphological and mechanical alterations of cartilage in AKU.     

Biochemical and proteomic characterization of alkaptonuric chondrocytes

Alkaptonuria (AKU) is a rare genetic disease associated with the accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA) and its oxidized/polymerized products which leads to the deposition of melanin-like pigments (ochronosis) in connective tissues. Although numerous case reports have described ochronosis in joints, little is known on the molecular mechanisms leading to such a phenomenon. For this reason, we characterized biochemically chondrocytes isolated from the ochronotic cartilage of AKU patients. Based on the macroscopic appearance of the ochronotic cartilage, two sub-populations were identified: cells coming from the black portion of the cartilage were referred to as "black" AKU chondrocytes, while those coming from the white portion were referred to as "white" AKU chondrocytes. Notably, both AKU chondrocytic types were characterized by increased apoptosis, NO release, and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Transmission electron microscopy also revealed that intracellular ochronotic pigment deposition was common to both "white" and "black" AKU cells. We then undertook a proteomic and redox-proteomic analysis of AKU chondrocytes which revealed profound alterations in the levels of proteins involved in cell defence, protein folding, and cell organization. An increased post-translational oxidation of proteins, which also involved high molecular weight protein aggregates, was found to be particularly relevant in "black" AKU chondrocytes.     

Pathological mechanism of chondrocytes and the surrounding environment during osteoarthritis of temporomandibular joint

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis is a common chronic degenerative disease of the TMJ. In order to explore its aetiology and pathological mechanism, many animal models and cell models have been constructed to simulate the pathological process of TMJ osteoarthritis. The main pathological features of TMJ osteoarthritis include chondrocyte death, extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and subchondral bone remodelling. Chondrocyte apoptosis accelerates the destruction of cartilage. However, autophagy has a protective effect on condylar chondrocytes. Degradation of ECM not only changes the properties of cartilage but also affects the phenotype of chondrocytes. The loss of subchondral bone in the early stages of TMJ osteoarthritis plays an aetiological role in the onset of osteoarthritis. In recent years, increasing evidence has suggested that chondrocyte hypertrophy and endochondral angiogenesis promote TMJ osteoarthritis. Hypertrophic chondrocytes secrete many factors that promote cartilage degeneration. These chondrocytes can further differentiate into osteoblasts and osteocytes and accelerate cartilage ossification. Intrachondral angiogenesis and neoneurogenesis are considered to be important triggers of arthralgia in TMJ osteoarthritis. Many molecular signalling pathways in endochondral osteogenesis are responsible for TMJ osteoarthritis. These latest discoveries in TMJ osteoarthritis have further enhanced the understanding of this disease and contributed to the development of molecular therapies. This paper summarizes recent cognition on the pathogenesis of TMJ osteoarthritis, focusing on the role of chondrocyte hypertrophy degeneration and cartilage angiogenesis.     

The chondrocyte-intrinsic circadian clock is disrupted in human osteoarthritis

Peripheral clocks are essential for driving cell differentiation. In osteoarthritis, loss of the normal differentiated chondrocyte (cartilage cell) phenotype is causative of disease. We investigated whether clock gene expression differed in osteoarthritic compared to “healthy” chondrocytes and used RNAi to determine whether the differences observed could affect chondrocyte phenotype. Following serum shock, PER2 expression was significantly higher, whereas BMAL1 expression was significantly lower, in osteoarthritic chondrocytes. Knockdown of BMAL1 in “healthy” chondrocytes was associated with higher cell proliferation and MMP13 expression, features characteristic of the osteoarthritic chondrocyte phenotype. Chondrocyte-intrinsic clock disruption may be a critical early step in osteoarthritis development.     

Chondroptosis: A variant of apoptotic cell death in chondrocytes?

Evidence has accumulated in recent years that programmed cell death (PCD) is not necessarily synonymous with the classical apoptosis, as defined by Kerr and Wyllie, but that cells use a variety of pathways to undergo cell death, which are reflected by different morphologies. Although chondrocytes with the hallmark features of classical apoptosis have been demonstrated in culture, such cells are extremely rare in vivo. The present review focuses on the morphological differences between dying chondrocytes and classical apoptotic cells. We propose the term 'chondroptosis' to reflect the fact that such cells are undergoing apoptosis in a non-classical manner that appears to be typical of programmed chondrocyte death in vivo. Unlike classical apoptosis, chondroptosis involves an initial increase in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, reflecting an increase in protein synthesis. The increased ER membranes also segment the cytoplasm and provide compartments within which cytoplasm and organelles are digested. In addition, destruction occurs within autophagic vacuoles and cell remnants are blebbed into the lacunae. Together these processes lead to complete self-destruction of the chondrocyte as evidenced by the presence of empty lacunae. It is speculated that the endoplasmic reticulum pathway of apoptosis plays a greater role in chondroptosis than receptor-mediated or mitochondrial pathways and that lysosomal proteases are at least as important as caspases. Because chondroptosis does not depend on phagocytosis, it may be more advantageous in vivo, where chondrocytes are isolated within their lacunae. At present the initiation factors or the molecular pathways involved in chondroptosis remain unclear.     

Do chondrocytes undergo "activation" and "transdifferentiation" during the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis? A review of the ultrastructural and immunohistochemical evidence

Chondrocytes, which are the only cell type in the articular cartilage, show substantial morphological and functional differences, depending on their location within the tissue. In OA cartilage, outstanding modifications have been reported concerning their structure and functions. Based on the principle that both structure and function run in a parallel manner, new concepts are arising related to morphological observations. Observations on OA chondrocytes, such as cytoskeleton disruption, development of the secretory machinery (rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex), and cell death by apoptosis, among others, certainly must be related to the role of chondrocytes in OA pathogenesis. In this degradative process, it has been acknowledged that cell death, matrix degradation and subchondral bone remodelling are the main causes of cartilage breakdown in osteoarthritis. The aim of this review was to correlate and integrate in a logical manner the modifications of chondrocytes with cartilage breakdown during osteoarthritis pathogenesis. Furthermore, we intend to open a debate on cell cycle and mitosis, as well as on signalling molecules that might be involved in the morphofunctional changes in OA chondrocytes, which we propose to name "activation" and "transdifferentiation" of chondrocytes. We expect this analysis to be useful for studying OA pathogenesis in depth, with the aim of finding new strategies for the early diagnosis and therapeutic procedures for this invalidating disease, which is already an important public health problem.     

Hypotonic challenge modulates cell volumes differently in the superficial zone of intact articular cartilage and cartilage explant

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sample preparation on the biomechanical behaviour of chondrocytes. We compared the volumetric and dimensional changes of chondrocytes in the superficial zone (SZ) of intact articular cartilage and cartilage explant before and after a hypotonic challenge. Calcein-AM labelled SZ chondrocytes were imaged with confocal laser scanning microscopy through intact cartilage surfaces and through cut surfaces of cartilage explants. In order to clarify the effect of tissue composition on cell volume changes, Fourier Transform Infrared microspectroscopy was used for estimating the proteoglycan and collagen contents of the samples. In the isotonic medium (300 mOsm), there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the SZ cell volumes and aspect ratios between intact cartilage samples and cartilage explants. Changes in cell volumes at both short-term (2 min) and long-term (2 h) time points after the hypotonic challenge (180 mOsm) were significantly different (p < 0.05) between the groups. Further, proteoglycan content was found to correlate significantly (r ² = 0.63, p < 0.05) with the cell volume changes in cartilage samples with intact surfaces. Collagen content did not correlate with cell volume changes. The results suggest that the biomechanical behaviour of chondrocytes following osmotic challenge is different in intact cartilage and in cartilage explant. This indicates that the mechanobiological responses of cartilage and cell signalling may be significantly dependent on the integrity of the mechanical environment of chondrocytes.     

Chondroptosis: An immunohistochemical study of apoptosis and Golgi complex in chondrocytes from human osteoarthritic cartilage

The Golgi complex is thought to play an important role in the apoptotic process of osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes. However, the exact relationship between modifications of the Golgi complex and apoptosis in human OA cartilage requires to be established. We compared the patterns and immunolabeling intensities for anti-Golgi 58 K protein with apoptosis markers such as TUNEL and caspase-2L in OA cartilage removed from patients during knee total replacement surgery. We observed important modifications in labeling of the Golgi 58 K protein in OA chondrocytes compared with normal cell. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed co-localization between 58 K protein and caspase-2L, suggesting that this enzyme was localized in Golgi complex of OA chondrocytes. In addition, these cells labeled positive with the TUNEL technique, but in different proportions to caspase-2L. Our results support the concept, previously reported, that apoptosis in OA cartilage (chondroptosis) might be a variant of the classical apoptosis.     

Alkaptonuria is a novel human secondary amyloidogenic disease

Alkaptonuria (AKU) is an ultra-rare disease developed from the lack of homogentisic acid oxidase activity, causing homogentisic acid (HGA) accumulation that produces a HGA-melanin ochronotic pigment, of unknown composition. There is no therapy for AKU. Our aim was to verify if AKU implied a secondary amyloidosis. Congo Red, Thioflavin-T staining and TEM were performed to assess amyloid presence in AKU specimens (cartilage, synovia, periumbelical fat, salivary gland) and in HGA-treated human chondrocytes and cartilage. SAA and SAP deposition was examined using immunofluorescence and their levels were evaluated in the patients' plasma by ELISA. 2D electrophoresis was undertaken in AKU cells to evaluate the levels of proteins involved in amyloidogenesis. AKU osteoarticular tissues contained SAA-amyloid in 7/7 patients. Ochronotic pigment and amyloid co-localized in AKU osteoarticular tissues. SAA and SAP composition of the deposits assessed secondary type of amyloidosis. High levels of SAA and SAP were found in AKU patients' plasma. Systemic amyloidosis was assessed by Congo Red staining of patients' abdominal fat and salivary gland. AKU is the second pathology after Parkinson's disease where amyloid is associated with a form of melanin. Aberrant expression of proteins involved in amyloidogenesis has been found in AKU cells. Our findings on alkaptonuria as a novel type II AA amyloidosis open new important perspectives for its therapy, since methotrexate treatment proved to significantly reduce in vitro HGA-induced A-amyloid aggregates.     

The effect of collagen degradation on chondrocyte volume and morphology in bovine articular cartilage following a hypotonic challenge

Collagen degradation is one of the early signs of osteoarthritis. It is not known how collagen degradation affects chondrocyte volume and morphology. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of enzymatically induced collagen degradation on cell volume and shape changes in articular cartilage after a hypotonic challenge. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used for imaging superficial zone chondrocytes in intact and degraded cartilage exposed to a hypotonic challenge. Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy, polarized light microscopy, and mechanical testing were used to quantify differences in proteoglycan and collagen content, collagen orientation, and biomechanical properties, respectively, between the intact and degraded cartilage. Collagen content decreased and collagen orientation angle increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the superficial zone cartilage after collagenase treatment, and the instantaneous modulus of the samples was reduced significantly (p < 0.05). Normalized cell volume and height 20 min after the osmotic challenge (with respect to the original volume and height) were significantly (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively) larger in the intact compared to the degraded cartilage. These findings suggest that the mechanical environment of chondrocytes, specifically collagen content and orientation, affects cell volume and shape changes in the superficial zone articular cartilage when exposed to osmotic loading. This emphasizes the role of collagen in modulating cartilage mechanobiology in diseased tissue.     

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy in osteoarthritis: advanced tissue repair or intervention with smouldering synovial activation?

Although it is generally accepted that osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition of the cartilage, other tissues such as synovium in which immunological and inflammatory reactions occur contribute to the development of joint pathology. This sheds new light on the potential mechanism of action of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in osteoarthritis. Rather than tissue repair due to local transformation of injected mesenchymal stem cells to chondrocytes and filling defects in cartilage, such treatment might suppress synovial activation and indirectly ameliorate cartilage damage. Desando and co-workers report in Arthritis Research & Therapy that intra-articular delivery of adipose-derived stem cells attenuates progression of synovial activation and joint destruction in osteoarthritis in an experimental rabbit model. Clinical studies are warranted to see whether this approach might be a novel way to combat development of joint destruction in inflammatory subtypes of osteoarthritis.     

Globuli ossei in the long limb bones of Pleurodeles waltl (Amphibia,Urodela, Salamandridae)

To date, little is known about the structure of the cells and the fibrillar matrix of the globuli ossei, globular structures showing histochemical properties of an osseous tissue, sometimes found in the resorption front of the hypertrophied cartilage in many tetrapods, and easily observed in the long bones of the Urodele Pleurodeles waltl. Here, we present the results obtained from the appendicular long bones of metamorphosed juveniles and subadults using histological and histochemical methods and transmission electron microscopy. The distal part of the cone‐shaped cartilage contains a heterogeneous cell population composed of the typical “light” hypertrophic chondrocytes and scarce “dark” hypertrophic chondrocytes. The “dark” chondrocytes display ultrastructural characteristics suggesting that they probably undergo degeneration through chondroptosis. However, in the hypertrophic, calcified cartilage close to the erosion front by the marrow, several noninvaded chondrocytic lacunae retained cells that do not show any morphological characteristics of degeneration and that cannot be identified as regular chondrocytes or osteocytes. These modified chondrocytes that have lost their regular morphology, appear to be active in the terminal cartilage and synthesize collagen fibrils of a peculiar diameter intermediate between the Type I collagen found in bone and the Type II collagen characteristic of cartilage. It is suggested that the local occurrence of globuli ossei is linked to a low rate of longitudinal growth as is the case in the long bones of postmetamorphic urodeles. J. Morphol. 275:1226–1237, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

New aspects of the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis: the role of fibroblast-like chondrocytes in late stages of the disease

It is thought that the general increase in life expectancy will make osteoarthritis the fourth leading cause of disability by the year 2020. Even though the pathogenesis of idiopathic osteoarthritis has not been fully elucidated, the main features of the disease process are the altered interactions between the chondrocytes and their surrounding extracellular matrix. In the course of these disturbances, three types of chondrocytes are typically present in the pathologically altered extracellular matrix of the articular cartilage: healthy chondrocytes which are continually undergoing degeneration, degenerated cells which are continually being degraded and finally fibroblast-like chondrocytes which seem not to be influenced by this process and, therefore, are found in ever-increasing numbers. These fibroblast-like chondrocytes take part in tissue regeneration even in advanced stages of osteoarthritis, but only in as much as they form fibrocartilaginous or scar tissue, since, as we were able to show, they mainly synthesize collagen type I and not collagen type II, typical for healthy cartilage. However, we were further able to show that fibroblast-like chondrocytes also produce increasing amounts of the proteoglycans decorin and biglycan which physiologically are involved in the formation of collagen type II, as well as perlecan. These multifunctional fibroblast-like chondrocytes could present an ideal therapeutic starting point if they could be modified to synthesize the collagen type II typical for cartilage and to, thereby, contribute to reversing the damage of the joint cartilage that has occurred by the late stages of osteoarthritis.     

Hypertrophic differentiation of chondrocytes in osteoarthritis: the developmental aspect of degenerative joint disorders

Osteoarthritis is characterized by a progressive degradation of articular cartilage leading to loss of joint function. The molecular mechanisms regulating pathogenesis and progression of osteoarthritis are poorly understood. Remarkably, some characteristics of this joint disease resemble chondrocyte differentiation processes during skeletal development by endochondral ossification. In healthy articular cartilage, chondrocytes resist proliferation and terminal differentiation. By contrast, chondrocytes in diseased cartilage progressively proliferate and develop hypertrophy. Moreover, vascularization and focal calcification of joint cartilage are initiated. Signaling molecules that regulate chondrocyte activities in both growth cartilage and permanent articular cartilage during osteoarthritis are thus interesting targets for disease-modifying osteoarthritis therapies.     

The fate of chondrocytes during ageing of human thyroid cartilage

Human laryngeal cartilages, especially thyroid cartilage, exhibit gender-specific ageing. In contrast to male thyroid cartilages, the ventral half of the female thyroid cartilage plate remains unmineralized until advanced age. In cartilage specimens from laryngectomies and autopsies, apoptosis was studied immunohistochemically and the oxidative mitochondrial enzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydride tetrazolium reductase (NADH-TR) was localized histochemically. In addition, very fresh specimens from laryngectomies were fixed under addition of ruthenium hexamine trichloride or tannin to fixation solution to study cell organelles of chondrocytes by electron microscopic methods. In general, apoptotic chondrocytes decreased in thyroid cartilages of both genders, especially after the second decade. In the age group 41–60 years, thyroid cartilage from male specimens revealed a significantly higher percentage of apoptotic cells than did thyroid cartilage from women (P = 0.004), whereas in the age groups 0–20 years and 61–79 years no statistically significant gender difference was determined. In general, thyroid cartilage from women contained more living chondrocytes into advanced age than men. Chondrocytes adjacent to mineralized cartilage were partly positive for apoptosis and NADH-TR and partly negative. Apoptotic chondrocytes often were localized in areas of asbestoid fibres where vascularization and mineralization took place first. Electron microscopy revealed remnants of chondrocytes in asbestoid fibres. Taken together, it can be assumed that some chondrocytes in thyroid cartilage die by apoptosis and that these chondrocytes are characterized by absent reactivity for the mitochondrial enzyme NADH-TR. A possible influence of sexual hormones on apoptotic death of thyroid cartilage cells requires further elucidation.     

Dedifferentiation alters chondrocyte nuclear mechanics during in vitro culture and expansion

The biophysical features of a cell can provide global insights into diverse molecular changes, especially in processes like the dedifferentiation of chondrocytes. Key biophysical markers of chondrocyte dedifferentiation include flattened cellular morphology and increased stress-fiber formation. During cartilage regeneration procedures, dedifferentiation of chondrocytes during in vitro expansion presents a critical limitation to the successful repair of cartilage tissue. Our study investigates how biophysical changes of chondrocytes during dedifferentiation influence the nuclear mechanics and gene expression of structural proteins located at the nuclear envelope. Through an experimental model of cell stretching and a detailed spatial intranuclear strain quantification, we identified that strain is amplified and the distribution of strain within the chromatin is altered under tensile loading in the dedifferentiated state. Further, using a confocal microscopy image-based finite element model and simulation of cell stretching, we found that the cell shape is the primary determinant of the strain amplification inside the chondrocyte nucleus in the dedifferentiated state. Additionally, we found that nuclear envelope proteins have lower gene expression in the dedifferentiated state. This study highlights the role of cell shape in nuclear mechanics and lays the groundwork to design biophysical strategies for the maintenance and enhancement of the chondrocyte phenotype during cell expansion with a goal of successful cartilage tissue engineering.