Effect of Suppression of Rotational Joint Instability on Cartilage and Meniscus Degeneration in Mouse Osteoarthritis Model

Objective Joint instability and meniscal dysfunction contribute to the onset and progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA). In the destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) model, secondary OA occurs due to the rotational instability and increases compressive stress resulting from the meniscal dysfunction. We created a new controlled abnormal tibial rotation (CATR) model that reduces the rotational instability that occurs in the DMM model. So, we aimed to investigate whether rotational instability affects articular cartilage degeneration using the DMM and CATR models, as confirmed using histology and immunohistochemistry. Design Twelve-week-old male mice were randomized into 3 groups: DMM group, CATR group, and INTACT group (right knee of the DMM group). After 8 and 12 weeks, we performed the tibial rotational test, safranin-O/fast green staining, and immunohistochemical staining for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and metalloproteinase (MMP)-13. Results The rotational instability in the DMM group was significantly higher than that of the other groups. And articular cartilage degeneration was higher in the DMM group than in the other groups. However, meniscal degeneration was observed in both DMM and CATR groups. The TNF-α and MMP-13 positive cell rates in the articular cartilage of the CATR group were lower than those in the DMM group. Conclusions We found that the articular cartilage degeneration was delayed by controlling the rotational instability caused by meniscal dysfunction. These findings suggest that suppression of rotational instability in the knee joint may be an effective therapeutic measure for preventing OA progression.