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A 3D System for Culturing Human Articular Chondrocytes in Synovial Fluid
Published on: January 31, 2012
The role of crystals in articular tissue degeneration
1Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine, and Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA.
Abstract:
The deposition of calcium-containing crystals in articular tissues is probably an underrecognized event. Clinical observations indicate that exaggerated and uniquely distributed cartilage degeneration is associated with these deposits. Perhaps the most compelling argument favoring a role for crystals in causing osteoarthritis stems from their in vitro effects on articular tissues. In this short review, we will discuss the fact that crystals can cause the degeneration of articular tissues in 2 separate pathways. In the "Direct" pathway, crystals directly induce fibroblast-like synoviocytes to proliferate and produce metalloproteinases and prostaglandins. The other "Paracrine pathway" involves the interaction between crystals and macrophages/monocytes, which leads to synthesis and release of cytokines that can reinforce the action of crystals on synoviocytes and induce chondrocytes to secrete enzymes, eventually causing the degeneration of articular tissues.
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