Ectopic mineralization of articular cartilage in the bullfrog Rana catesbeiana and its possible involvement in bone closure

Cell and Tissue Research
S L Felisbino, H F Carvalho

Abstract

Mineralization of the articular cartilage is a pathological condition associated with age and certain joint diseases in humans and other mammals. In this work, we describe a physiological process of articular cartilage mineralization in bullfrogs. Articular cartilage of the proximal and distal ends of the femur and of the proximal end of the tibia-fibula was studied in animals of different ages. Mineralization of the articular cartilage was detected in animals at 1 month post-transformation. This mineralization, which appeared before the hypertrophic cartilage showed any calcium deposition, began at a restricted site in the lateral expansion of the cartilage and then progressed to other areas of the epiphyseal cartilage. Mineralized structures were identified by von Kossa's staining and by in vivo incorporation of calcein green. Element analysis showed that calcium crystals consisted of poorly crystalline hydroxyapatite. Mineralized matrix was initially spherical structures that generally coalesced after a certain size to occupy larger areas of the cartilage. Alkaline phosphatase activity was detected at the plasma membrane of nearby chondrocytes and in extracellular matrix. Apoptosis was detected by the TUNEL (TDT-mediated dUT...Continue Reading

Citations

Jul 24, 2010·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·María Laura PonssaVirginia Abdala
Nov 19, 2011·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Virginia Abdala, María Laura Ponssa
Sep 4, 2010·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Ugur Cengiz Erismis, Anusuya Chinsamy
Mar 27, 2015·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Miriam Corina VeraVirginia Abdala

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Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a specific process that leads to programmed cell death through the activation of an evolutionary conserved intracellular pathway leading to pathognomic cellular changes distinct from cellular necrosis