A New Method to Develop the Primate Model of Knee Osteoarthritis With Focal Cartilage Defect.

Xin Bi,Zhaoxiang Wu,Shutian Xiang,Tao Li,Zhong Chen,Junhong Li,Min Li,Bin Ling

doi:10.3389/fbioe.2021.727643

Abstract

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease, and animal models have proven pivotal in investigating this disease. This study aimed to develop a primate model of OA that may be more relevant to research studies on OA in humans. Method: Twelve female rhesus macaques were randomly divided into three groups. Four animals were untreated (Control group); four were subjected to the modified Hulth method, involving cutting of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, and transecting the meniscus (Hulth group); and four were subjected to the modified Hulth method combined with cartilage defect (MHCD group). Each primate was subjected to motor ability tests, and underwent arthroscopic, radiographic, morphological, and pathological observation of the knee joints at various times for up to 180 days. Results: Motor ability on Day 180 was significantly lower in the MHCD group than in the Control (p＜0.01) and Hulth (p＜0.05) groups. Radiographic and morphological examination showed that the severity of knee joint deformity and articular cartilage injury were greater in the MHCD group than in the other groups. Pathological examination showed that cartilage thickness was significantly lower in the MHCD group than in the other groups at the same time points. The Mankin score on Day 180 was markedly higher in the MHCD group than in the Hulth (p＜0.05) and Control (p＜0.001) groups. Conclusion: The MHCD model of OA closely resembles the pathophysiological processes of spontaneous knee OA in humans. The time required to develop knee OA is shorter using the MHCD model than using the Hulth method.

Highlights

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease that adversely affects the quality of life of millions of people around the world (Johnson and Hunter, 2014; Glyn-Jones et al, 2015)
There was no significant difference between the Control, Hulth, and MHCD groups with respect to age, body weight, knee circumference, and crown sacral length (p > 0.05) (Table 1)
Operation time was longer for the MHCD group than for the Hulth group (p < 0.05) (Figure 2A), but there was no significant difference in blood loss (p > 0.05) (Figure 2B)

Summary

Introduction

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease that adversely affects the quality of life of millions of people around the world (Johnson and Hunter, 2014; Glyn-Jones et al, 2015). Symptoms of OA include persistent joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited range of motion, accompanied by progressive cartilage degradation, subchondral bone sclerosis, osteophyte formation, and synovium inflammation (Goldring and Goldring, 2010; Sokolove and Lepus, 2013). OA commonly affects the hands, feet, spine, and large weight-bearing joints, the knee (Michael et al, 2010). Knee OA (KOA) is a major cause of physical disability and morbidity, imposing enormous medical and socioeconomic burdens on individuals and society (Alkan et al, 2014; Cross et al, 2014; Hawker et al, 2014). The exact causes and pathogenesis of KOA remain largely unknown, and no treatments have been found to effectively inhibit KOA progression and/or repair injured cartilage

Methods

Results

Conclusion