Influence of periostin on the development of fibrocartilage layers of anterior cruciate ligament insertion

Hirotaka Mutsuzaki; Kazuki Kuwahara; Hiromi Nakajima

doi:10.1016/j.otsr.2022.103215

Influence of periostin on the development of fibrocartilage layers of anterior cruciate ligament insertion

Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2023 Oct;109(6):103215. doi: 10.1016/j.otsr.2022.103215. Epub 2022 Jan 31.

Authors

Hirotaka Mutsuzaki¹, Kazuki Kuwahara², Hiromi Nakajima²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences, 4669-2 Ami Ami-machi, Inashiki-gun, 300-0394 Ibaraki, Japan. Electronic address: mutsuzaki@ipu.ac.jp.
² Department of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, 3-21-1 Chuo, Ami, 300-0393 Ibaraki, Japan.

PMID: 35092850
DOI: 10.1016/j.otsr.2022.103215

Abstract

Background: Periostin (Postn) is thought to play a role in the formation of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) insertion. However, the influence of Postn on the development of ACL insertion requires further understanding. This study aimed to clarify the influence of Postn on the development of fibrocartilage layers of ACL insertion.

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that Postn would influence the development of fibrocartilage layers of ACL insertion.

Materials and methods: C57BL/6N wild-type (Postn+/+; n=54) and Postn knockout (Postn-/-; n=54) mice were used in this study. Six animals were euthanized at 1 d and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks of age in each group. The chondrocyte number, proliferation, apoptosis, safranin O-stained glycosaminoglycan (GAG) area, type II collagen staining area, tidemark length, and insertion width were evaluated.

Results: Chondrocyte proliferation was high up to 2 weeks in Postn+/+, while low at age 1 d; it was, especially lower in Postn-/- than in Postn+/+ at age 1 d and 1 week. Chondrocyte apoptosis was high up to age 8 weeks in Postn+/+ and at 6 weeks in Postn-/-; it was especially higher in Postn-/- than in Postn+/+ at age 1 week. The GAG stained area was thickest for age 1 d to 4 weeks in Postn+/+ and for age 2 to 6 weeks in Postn-/-. The type II collagen staining area in Postn+/+ was thicker than that in Postn-/- at age 6 and 8 weeks. The tidemark length in Postn+/+ was longer than that in Postn-/- from age 8 to 12 weeks. The insertion width in Postn+/+ was longer than that in Postn-/- from age 1 to 3 weeks.

Discussion: Postn decreased cell proliferation in the early postnatal phase and influenced the development of the fibrocartilage layer extracellular matrix of ACL insertion in mice. Postn may contribute to the development of methods for regeneration of the ACL insertion.

Level of evidence: V; controlled laboratory study.

Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament insertion; Development; Fibrocartilage layers; Knockout mouse; Periostin.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries*
Anterior Cruciate Ligament*
Collagen Type II
Fibrocartilage
Glycosaminoglycans
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL

Substances

Collagen Type II
Glycosaminoglycans
Postn protein, mouse