Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2010, Vol. 14 ›› Issue (15): 2696-2700.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2010.15.009

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Role of matrix metalloproteinase-13 in the degenerated lateral meniscus of rabbits with anterior cruciate ligament rupture 

Li Guo-jun1, Li Kang-hua2, Zhang Shi-qing1, Wang Xiao1   

  1. 1 Department of Orthopaedics, Huaihe Hospital of Henan University, Kaifeng  475001, Henan Province, China; 2 Department of Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha  410008, Hunan Province, China
  • Online:2010-04-09 Published:2010-04-09
  • About author:Li Guo-jun☆, Doctor, Attending physician, Department of Orthopaedics, Huaihe Hospital of Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, Henan Province, China lgjhndx@yahoo.com.cn

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Previous studies demonstrated that matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) plays a great role in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture-induced degradation of hyaline cartilage extracellular matrix of knee joint, however, the role of MMP-13 in the degeneration of lateral meniscus is poorly understood.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes and significance of the MMP-13 expression in the lateral meniscus of rabbit with ACL rupture.
METHODS: Lateral meniscus of 48 rabbits was randomly divided into experimental side and control side, and 12 rabbits were randomly selected and sacrificed at 1, 3, 6 and 8 weeks after model preparation. The degeneration of lateral meniscus was scored through gross and haematoxylin-eosin staining, and the expression of MMP-13 was detected using immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: With time prolonged, the scores of lateral meniscus degeneration were increased in the experimental group than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the positive expression of MMP13 was greater in the experimental group at each time point (P < 0.05). In the experimental group, positive expression of MMP13 was greater at 3 and 6 weeks than that of the 1 and 8 weeks (P < 0.05), which was significantly higher at 8 weeks than 1 week (P < 0.05), however, there was no significant difference between 3 and 6 weeks (P > 0.05). MMP-13 maybe a promotional factor which causes the degeneration of lateral meniscus; the decreasing of the MMP-13 expression is not a stopping signs of lateral meniscus degeneration.

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