Proteomic Differences between Male and Female Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Patellar Tendon (original) (raw)
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Sex, Collagen Expression, and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Strength in Rats
Journal of athletic training, 2010
Context:Sex-specific responses to steroid sex hormones have been suggested as a potential cause for the disparate anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury rates between male and female athletes. Type 1 collagen (T1C) and type 3 collagen (T3C) are crucial structural components that define the ligament's ability to withstand tensile loads. Messenger RNA (mRNA) is an important mediator of downstream collagen synthesis and remodeling, but the sex-specific mechanisms of collagen mRNA expression and ACL strength are unknown.Objective:To examine the influence of sex on T1C and T3C mRNA expression and mass-normalized stiffness and peak failure load in the ACLs of skeletally mature rats.Design:Observational study.Setting:Basic sciences and biomechanical testing laboratories.Patients or Other Participants:Nineteen 12-week-old male (n = 9) and female (n = 10) Sprague Dawley rats.Main Outcome Measure(s):We used real-time polymerase chain reaction to determine T1C and T3C mRNA expression and a hydraulic materials testing device to measure ACL stiffness and failure load. Nonparametric Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to compare the groups.Results:Female rats had lower amounts of T3C mRNA expression and higher normalized ACL tangent stiffness and failure load than male rats.Conclusions:These findings suggest that sex-specific differences in T1C and T3C mRNA expression may play an important role in the downstream mechanical properties of the ACL.
Bioengineering
The relationship between cartilage and synovium is a rapidly growing area of osteoarthritis research. However, to the best of our knowledge, the relationships in gene expression between these two tissues have not been explored in mid-stage disease development. The current study compared the transcriptomes of these two tissues in a large animal model one year following posttraumatic osteoarthritis induction and multiple surgical treatment modalities. Thirty-six Yucatan minipigs underwent transection of the anterior cruciate ligament. Subjects were randomized to no further intervention, ligament reconstruction, or ligament repair augmented with an extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold, followed by RNA sequencing of the articular cartilage and synovium at 52 weeks after harvest. Twelve intact contralateral knees served as controls. Across all treatment modalities, the primary difference in the transcriptomes was that the articular cartilage had greater upregulation of genes related to im...
Biochemical and Structural Alterations in Skeletal Muscle Following ACL Injury: A Narrative Review
Australian International Academic Centre, 2020
Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are some of the most common knee injuries that occur in the US, accounting for around 200,000 documented cases per year. Varying levels of severity can determine whether surgery is required or if physical therapy will suffice. One of the most common complications for patients is that there is significant atrophy of the impacted limb. Yet, there has not been definitive proof explaining this mechanism. Objective: The primary goal for this review was to examine some of the biochemical differences that tend to occur within and surrounding an ACL injury and the mechanisms involved in skeletal muscle atrophy and regenerative capabilities. Outcome: Multiple studies have found a connection between time spent inactive from the injury and the percentage of retained muscle after exercising again. Among decreases in muscle mass and muscle volume changes, analyses have also revealed alterations in alpha-2 macroglobulin, myostatin, heat shock protein-72, mechano GF-C24E, synovial fluid, and histochemical alterations in collagen and cartilaginous states which all seem to be primary factors in regulating effectiveness and speed of recovery from ACL injury. Conclusion: the influx of various cytokines as a response to the initial injury in relation to inflammation change the chemical and physical environment of the knee, making recovery significantly more difficult and time-consuming. Timing of injury, surgery, and reinitiation of movement after surgery are very important factors that can minimize overall damage and reduce recovery time.
Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 2016
Joint injury causes post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). About $50% of patients rupturing their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) will develop PTOA within 1-2 decades of the injury, yet the mechanisms responsible for the development of PTOA after joint injury are not well understood. In this study, we examined whole joint gene expression by RNA sequencing (RNAseq) at 1 day, 1-, 6-, and 12 weeks post injury, in a non-invasive tibial compression (TC) overload mouse model of PTOA that mimics ACL rupture in humans. We identified 1446 genes differentially regulated between injured and contralateral joints. This includes known regulators of osteoarthritis such as MMP3, FN1, and COMP, and several new genes including Suco, Sorcs2, and Medag. We also identified 18 long noncoding RNAs that are differentially expressed in the injured joints. By comparing our data to gene expression data generated using the surgical destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) PTOA model, we identified several common genes and shared mechanisms. Our study highlights several differences between these two models and suggests that the TC model may be a more rapidly progressing model of PTOA. This study provides the first account of gene expression changes associated with PTOA development and progression in a TC model.
Extracellular matrix content of ruptured anterior cruciate ligament tissue
The Knee, 2011
Anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs) can rupture with simple movements, suggesting that structural changes in the ligament may reduce the loading capacity of the ligament. We aimed to investigate if proteoglycan and collagen levels were different between ruptured and non-ruptured ACLs. We also compared changes in ruptured tissue over time. During arthroscopic knee reconstruction surgery 24 ruptured ACLs were collected from participants (10 females; 14 males; mean age 24 years). Four non-ruptured ACLs were obtained from participants undergoing total knee replacement surgery (one female, three males; mean age 66 years). Western blot analysis was used to characterise core proteins of aggrecan, versican, decorin and biglycan and glycosaminoglycan assays were also conducted. Collagen levels were measured by hydroxyproline (OHPr) assays. Significantly lower levels of collagen, were found in ruptured ACL compared to non-ruptured ACL (p = 0.004). Lower levels of both small and large proteoglycans were found in ruptured than non-ruptured ACLs. No correlation was found between time since rupture and proteoglycan or collagen levels. Ruptured ACLs had less collagen and proteoglycans than non-ruptured ACLs. These changes indicate either extracellular matrix protein levels were reduced prior to rupture or levels decreased immediately after rupture. It is possible that the composition and structure of ACLs that rupture are different to normal ACLs, potentially reducing the tissue's ability to withstand loading. An enhanced understanding of the aetiology of ACL injury could help identify individuals who may be predisposed to rupture.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Biology and Its Relationship to Injury Forces
Orthopedic Clinics of North America, 2006
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of primary stabilizers of the knee, and disruption of this ligament is three to ten times more common in female athletes than male athletes who participate in the same sports at the same level of competition . These knee injuries are a growing cause for concern because of the association with earlyonset, posttraumatic osteoarthritis after severe ligament tears. Despite an abundance of theories about why female athletes are more susceptible to this injury and proposed neuromuscular training programs designed to protect the knee, no definitive causal link has been found among mechanisms of injury, sex, and ACL rupture.
2021
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is one the most common knee injuries in the young and middle age population. Large numbers of studies have examined the anatomy, biomechanics, management and rehabilitation of ACL injuries in the general population and athletes. Contemporary medical technology has facilitated new treatment paradigms and lead to the exponential growth in knowledge in this fundamental area of knee surgery and sports medicine. The objective of this narrative review was to identify studies that examined certain intrinsic and extrinsic factors contributing to ACL injury risk in female athletes. Participation in sports by females is increasing globally and the burden of disease in relation to ACL injuries is expected to increase in association with these increased participation rates. There is a paucity of literature that clearly delineates the intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors for ACL injury among different populations, especially higher-level female athletes. To facilitate the best possible care for knee injured patients, it is essential to understand the key factors that may underpin different injury patterns, especially in the context of dramatically increased participation in high risk sports, including Australian Rules Football, rugby union and rugby league, basketball, netball, soccer and skiing; focusing on those identifiable risk factors that have a female predilection will be the focus of this review and an attempt has been made to broadly review the most pertinent scientific literature.