Summary
Sequential histochemical changes related to acid mucopolysaccharides (AMPS) were studied in the calcifying cartilage of the mandibular condyle. Non-decalcified, 1 μ Eponembedded sections were subjected to a variety of histochemical procedures. The results indicate that AMPS are synthesized and secreted mainly by hypertrophic chondrocytes in the premineralizing zone. Within the matrix at the mineralization front the AMPS complexes are apparently degraded by lysosomal enzymes to yield a highly anionic fraction which is maintained in the matrix. This fraction could function as the site for mineralization and cationic dye reaction which allows for histochemical visualization.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alcock, N. W.: Calcification of cartilage. Clin. Orthop. 86, 287–311 (1972).
Barrett, A. J.: The biochemistry and function of mucosubstances. Histochemical J. 3, 213–221 (1971).
Baume, L. J.: Differential response of condylar, epiphyseal, synchondrotic, and articular cartilages of the rat to varying levels of vitamin A. Amer. J. Orthodont. 58, 537–551 (1970).
Baylink, D., Wergedal, J., Thompson, E.: Loss of proteinpolysaccharides at sites where bone mineralization is initiated. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 20, 279–292 (1972).
Behnke, O., Zelander, T.: Preservation of intercellular substances by the cationic dye alcian blue in preparative procedures for electron microscopy. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 31, 424–438 (1970).
Campo, R. D.: Protein-polysaccharides of cartilage and bone in health and disease. Clin. Orthop. 68, 182–209 (1970).
Campo, R. D., Bielen, R. J., Hetherington, J.: Metabolic studies on the proteinpolysaccharides of cartilage. Biochim. biophys. Acta (Amst.) 261, 136–142 (1972).
Curran, R. C., Clark, A. E., Lovell, D.: Acid mucopolysaccharides in electron microscopy. The use of the colloidal iron method. J. Anat. (Lond.) 99, 427–434 (1965).
DeMartino, C., Natali, P. G., Bruni, C. B., Accini, L.: Influence of plastic embedding media on staining and morphology of lipid bodies. Histochemie 16, 350–360 (1968).
Durkin, J. F., Heeley, J. D., Irving, J. T.: Comparison and changes in the articular, mandibular condylar and growth-plate cartilages during the onset and healing of rickets in rats. Arch. oral Biol. 16, 689–706 (1971).
Dziewiatkowski, D. D., Tourtellotte, C. D., Campo, R. D.: Degradation of protein-polysaccharide by an enzyme extracted from cartilage. In: The chemical physiology of mucopolysaccharides, p. 63–76. Boston: Little, Brown & Co. 1968.
Ehrlich, M. G., Mankin, H. J., Threadwell, B. V.: Biochemical and physiological events during closure of the stapled distal femoral epiphyseal plate in rats. J. Bone Jt Surg. A 54, 309–322 (1972).
Geyer, G.: New histochemical techniques for the demonstration of carboxyl groups in mucosubstances. Histochemical J. 3, 241–250 (1971).
Gomori, G.: Distribution of acid phosphatase in the tissue under normal and under pathologic conditions. Arch. Path. 32, 189–199 (1941).
Greer, R. B., Janicke, G. H., Mankin, H. J.: Protein-polysaccharide synthesis at three levels of the normal growth plate. Calc. Tiss. Res. 2, 157–164 (1968).
Hirsch, J. G., Fedorko, M. E.: Ultrastructure of human leukocytes after simultaneous fixation with glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide and “postfixation” in uranyl acetate. J. Cell Biol. 38, 615–627 (1968).
Huber, J. D., Parker, F., Odland, G. F.: A basic fuchsin and alkalinized methylene blue rapid stain for epoxy-embedded tissue. Stain Technol. 43, 83–87 (1968).
Jeon, J. W.: Simple method for staining and preserving epoxy resin-embedded animal tissue sections for light microscopy. Life Sci. 4, 1839–1841 (1965).
Jibril, A. O.: Proteolytic degradation of ossifying cartilage matrix and the removal of acid mucopolysaccharides prior to bone formation. Biochim. biophys. Acta (Amst.) 136, 162–165 (1967).
Kobayashi, S.: Acid mucopolysaccharides in calcified tissues. Int. Rev. Cytol. 30, 257–371 (1971).
Lindenbaum, A., Kuettner, K. E.: Mucopolysaccharides and mucoproteins of calf scapula. Calcif. Tiss. Res. 1, 153–165 (1967).
Luft, J. H.: Improvements in epoxy resin embedding methods. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 9, 409–414 (1961).
Luft, J. H.: Ruthenium red and violet. I. Chemistry, purification methods of use for electron microscopy and mechanism of action. Anat. Rec. 171, 347–368 (1971).
Marler, E., Davidson, E. A.: Structure of a polysaccharide-protein complex. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 54, 648–656 (1965).
Mathews, M.: Comparative biochemistry of chondroitin sulphate-proteins of cartilage and notochord. Biochem. J. 125, 37–46 (1971).
McLean, F. C., Urist, M. R.: Bone: Fundamentals of the physiology of skeletal tissue, 3rd ed. p. 102–103. Univ. of Chicago, Illinois 1968.
Pelletier, G., Novikoff, A. B.: Localization of phosphatase activities in the rat anterior pituitary gland. J. Histochem Cytochem. 20, 1–12 (1972).
Pihl, E., Gustafson, G. T., Falkmer, S.: Ultrastructural demonstration of cartilage acid glycosaminoglycans. Histochemical J. 1, 26–35 (1968).
Pizzolato, P., Lillie, R. D.: The staining of mucopolysaccharides with gallocyanin and metal mordants. Histochemie 27, 335–350 (1971).
Reynolds, J. J.: Degradation processes in bone and cartilage. Calcif. Tiss. Res. 4 (Suppl.), 52–56 (1970).
Rosenberg, L.: Chemical basis for the histological use of Safranin O in the study of articular cartilage. J. Bone Jt Surg. A 53, 69–82 (1971).
Rosenberg, L., Schubert, A.: The proteinpolysaccharides of cartilage. Rheumatology 3, 1–60 (1970).
Sievers, J.: Basic two-dye stains for epoxy-embedded 0.3–1 μ sections. Stain Technol. 46, 195–199 (1971).
Thyberg, J., Friberg, U.: Ultrastructure and acid phosphatase activity of matrix and cytoplasmic dense bodies in the epiphyseal plate. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 33, 554–573 (1970).
Van den Hooff, A., Van Nie, C. J., Buitenweg, D. W.: Histology and polysaccharide histochemistry of heterotopic bone formation. Path. et Microbiol. (Basel) 29, 17–28 (1966).
Vittur, F., Pugliarelo, M. C., DeBernard, B.: Some properties of proteoglycans of pre-osseous cartilage. Biochim. biophys. Acta (Amst.) 257, 389–397 (1972).
Wuthier, R. E.: A zonal analysis of inorganic and organic constituents of the epiphysis during endochondral calcification. Calc. Tiss. Res. 4, 20–38 (1969).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported in part by Grant DE 00163 from the National Institute of Dental Research, U.S.P.H.S.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Silbermann, M., Frommer, J. Dynamic changes in acid mucopolysaccharides during mineralization of the mandibular condylar cartilage. Histochemie 36, 185–192 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00304393
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00304393