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Aggrecan, versican and type VI collagen are components of annular translamellar crossbridges in the intervertebral disc

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to undertake a detailed analysis of the structure of the inter and intra-lamellar regions of the annulus fibrosus. A total of 30 newborn to 6 year-old lumbar ovine intervertebral discs (IVDs) were fixed and decalcified en-bloc to avoid differential swelling artifacts during processing and vertical mid-sagittal, and horizontal 4 μm sections were cut. These were stained with toluidine blue to visualise anionic proteoglycan (PG) species, H & E for cellular morphology and picro-sirius red (viewed under polarized light) to examine collagenous organization. Immunolocalisations were also undertaken using anti-PG core-protein and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) side chain antibodies to native chondroitin sulphate (CS), Δ C-4-S and C-6-S unsaturated stubs generated by chondroitinase ABC digestion of CS, keratan sulphate (KS), and with antibodies to type I, II, VI, IX and X collagens. Trans-lamellar cross bridges (TLCBs), discontinuities in annular lamellae’s which provide transverse interconnections, stained prominently with toluidine blue in the adult IVDs but less so in the newborn IVDs. In adult discs TLCBs were evident in both the posterior and anterior AF where they extended from the outermost annular lamellae almost to the transitional zone extending across as many as eight lamellar layers displaying a characteristic circuitous, meandering, serpentine type course. There were significantly fewer TLCBs in 2 week-old compared with skeletally mature sheep and there was a further increase from 2 to 6 years. Immunolocalisation of perlecan delineated blood vessels in the TLBs of the newborn but not adult IVDs extending into the mid AF. In contrast adult but not 2 week-old TLCBs were immunpositive for C-4-S, C-6-S, KS, aggrecan, versican and type VI collagen. The change in number and matrix components of the trans-lamellar cross bridges with skeletal maturity and ageing suggest that they represent an adaptation to the complex biomechanical forces occurring in the annulus fibrosus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Raymond Purves Laboratory, Institute of Bone and Joint Research, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital, Level 5, University Clinic B26, St. Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia

    James Melrose, Susan M. Smith & Christopher B. Little

  2. Murray Maxwell Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatic Surgery, Royal North Shore Hospital, Block 4, St. Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia

    Richard C. Appleyard

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  1. James Melrose
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  2. Susan M. Smith
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Correspondence to James Melrose.

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Melrose, J., Smith, S.M., Appleyard, R.C. et al. Aggrecan, versican and type VI collagen are components of annular translamellar crossbridges in the intervertebral disc. Eur Spine J 17, 314–324 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-007-0538-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-007-0538-0

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