Early detection of osteoarthritis in the rat with an antibody specific to type II collagen modified by reactive oxygen species

Abstract Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease of the whole joint, with articular cartilage breakdown as major characteristic. Inflammatory mediators, proteases, and oxidants produced by chondrocytes are known to be responsible for driving degradation. Nevertheless, early pathogenic events still unclear. To investigate this, we employed an antibody that specific oxidative post-translationally modified collagen type II (anti-oxPTM-CII) detect changes in two rat models OA. Methods The animals underwent surgery destabilization medial meniscus (DMM) were sacrificed after 3, 5, 7, 14, 28 days. Alternatively, anterior cruciate ligament transection partial meniscectomy (ACLT+pMx) was performed 1, 14 Joints stained toluidine blue saffron du Gatinais histological scoring, anti-oxPTM-CII, anti-collagen X antibodies (anti-CX). Results We observed positive oxPTM-CII staining 1 or 3 days ACLT+pMx DMM surgeries, respectively, before overt lesions visible. located mostly deep zone tibial cartilage, pericellular territorial matrix hypertrophic chondrocytes, co-localized CX staining. Staining weak absent lateral compartment contralateral knees except at later time points. Conclusion results demonstrate oxidant production chondrocyte hypertrophy occur very onset OA, possibly initiating propose use anti-oxPTM-CII biomarker OA ahead radiographic changes.