Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 18, 2026

An Ex Vivo Tissue Culture Model of Cartilage Remodeling in Bovine Knee Explants
Published on: November 3, 2019
Circulating cartilage oligomeric matrix protein in juvenile idiopathic arthritis
P Lewander1,2, C Dahle1,3, B Larsson4
1a Division of Neuro and Inflammation Sciences, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden.
Objectives:
Raised serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (sCOMP) has been reported to predict erosive disease in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), subnormal sCOMP levels have been associated with ongoing inflammation and growth retardation. In this study we aimed to assess sCOMP, C-reactive protein (CRP), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 in children/adolescents with JIA and in referents.
Method:
We enrolled 52 JIA patients at planned outpatient visits and 54 inpatients with ongoing infection ('infection referents'). A total of 120 referents testing negative for immunoglobulin (Ig)E-mediated allergy ('IgE referents') served as controls. All serum samples were analysed for COMP, IGF-1, and CRP.
Results:
The average sCOMP level was highest among the IgE referents and lowest among the infection referents. In the JIA patients, the level of sCOMP was not associated with the level of CRP or with clinical signs of disease activity.
Conclusions:
The results of this study do not support routine clinical analysis of sCOMP levels in patients with JIA.
Related Concept Videos
Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue
Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification
Extracellular Matrix
Matrix Proteoglycans and Glycoproteins
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
Development of the Limb Synovial Joints
The mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into chondrocytes that form the hyaline cartilage, and later the cartilaginous model of the bone. This model further transforms into a bone. This process is known as endochondral ossification.
During development, the limbs...

