Articular cartilage morphology in experimental osteoarthritis with and without modification of synovial fluid by surfactant-associated proteins
The study deals with the articular cartilage morphology under conditions of synovial fluid modification by substance containing surfactant proteins increasing its lubricative properties. The study describes the mor- phological changes in articular surfaces and cartilage surface zone during 12 weeks of modeled experimental osteoarthrosis and alterations caused by administration of surfactant proteins. After 12 experimental weeks, the increase in articular cartilage thickness and the unchanged chondrocyte numerical density were revealed. The administration of surfactant proteins caused the gradual reduction in MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression, which indicated the triggering of the regenerative processes in damaged cartilage under the conditions of declined lubricative properties. The results obtained can form the basis of tissue engineering of cartilage and the development of prosthetic synovial fluid in developing pathologies of the knee joint.