[An experimental model of osteoarthritis. I. Induction and ultrastructural study]

Starting from Bentley's works [2], we elaborated an experimental model of arthrosis easy to use, providing reproducibility of effects and showing the same development as the human disease, but within a far shorter time. Papain injection induced a quick, high loss in proteoglycans. A rapid, localised chondrocyte reaction in the middle layer of the support area was noted. In this area, cells rapidly showed hyperactivity signs and a crown of microfibers taking the amyloid tissue-specific staining was seen around them. The building of such crowns might result from a discrepancy between collagen and proteoglycan secretion inducing a modification in their inter-relations. We also noticed binucleate cells, someones being in process of division, which might be the beginning of clones.