Exploratory arthroscopic evaluation of joint injuries creates a cellular environment that leads to accelerated osteoarthritic changes: A pilot study
Date of Award
6-2025
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences
First Advisor
Marina D’Angelo, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Christopher Adams, Ph.D.
Third Advisor
Ruth Borghaei, Ph.D.
Abstract
Exploratory knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used for the diagnosis of knee joint pathologies. However, emerging evidence suggests that the continuous irrigation of the joint required for visibility during this procedure may dilute synovial fluid, contributing to cellular and metabolic changes consistent with early osteoarthritis pathogenesis. To address the challenge of studying cellular-level effects in vitro, our lab optimized a three-dimensional, serum-free culture model for primary, human articular chondrocytes (HC-a) and measured key extracellular matrix proteins to monitor their metabolism. Optimal production of the target endpoints was observed when passage 3 HC-a were encapsulated in alginate beads at a density of 1.5x106 cells per 1 mL of alginate and cultured in serum-free medium for a period of 24 hours. Using this optimized culture model, we reared HC-a in varying dilutions of artificial synovial fluid (ASF), similar to what chondrocytes experience during exploratory arthroscopy. We measured sulfated proteoglycan, type II collagen, and matrilin-3 (a potential marker of OA pathogenesis), production in cultures reared in 100% ASF, 50% ASF/saline, 66% saline-diluted ASF, or saline-only conditions. Type II collagen and matrilin-3 increased protein production when cultured in dilute ASF and saline-only conditions. Sulfated proteoglycan production exhibited a significant increase only when HC-a were cultured in saline alone. These data indicate that damaging cellular effects occur when synovial fluid concentrations are altered, thus implicating exploratory arthroscopy in potential osteoarthritis progression.
Recommended Citation
Lovell, Kenya, "Exploratory arthroscopic evaluation of joint injuries creates a cellular environment that leads to accelerated osteoarthritic changes: A pilot study" (2025). PCOM Biomedical Studies Student Scholarship. 251.
https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/biomed/251