Vol 68, No 2 (2009)
Original article
Published online: 2009-02-25
Immunoexpression of constitutive and inducible cyclooxygenase isoforms in distinguishing and accessory structures of synovial joints in rat foetuses
Folia Morphol 2009;68(2):59-64.
Abstract
Joint formation is a developmental process regulated by various factors including
bone morphogenetic proteins, transforming and growth factors, etc. Recently,
a high expression of cyclooxygenase (COX) isoforms in the foetal cartilaginous
elements was also revealed. On the other hand, various joint and
skeletal abnormalities were seen in laboratory animal and human offspring,
exposed in utero to several COX inhibitors. Immunoexpression of constitutive
(COX-1) and inducible (COX-2) cyclooxygenase isoforms was evaluated in various
articular structures of untreated and unfamiliar 21-day-old male rat foetuses.
Both COX isoforms were detected in the articular cartilage and joint capsule,
as well as in the intra-articular disc of the temporomandibular joint and
meniscus of the knee joint. COX-1 immunostaining was revealed in the anterior
and posterior cruciate ligament of the knee joint and the labrum of the hip
and shoulder, whereas COX-2 immunoreactivity in those structures was not
found. It could be concluded that both constitutive and inducible COX isoforms
are physiologically expressed in various structures of synovial joints in rat
foetuses at the end of prenatal development.
Keywords: articular surfacearticular discjoint capsulecyclooxygenaseligamentlabrummeniscussynovial joint