Author response: Secondary ossification center induces and protects growth plate structure

Growth plate and articular cartilage constitute a single anatomical entity early in development but later separate into two distinct structures by the secondary ossification center (SOC). The reason for such separation remains unknown. We found that evolutionarily SOC appears in animals conquering the land - amniotes. Analysis of the ossification pattern in mammals with specialized extremities (whales, bats, jerboa) revealed that SOC development correlates with the extent of mechanical loads. Mathematical modeling revealed that SOC reduces mechanical stress within the growth plate. Functional experiments revealed the high vulnerability of hypertrophic chondrocytes to mechanical stress and showed that SOC protects these cells from apoptosis caused by extensive loading. Atomic force microscopy showed that hypertrophic chondrocytes are the least mechanically stiff cells within the growth plate. Altogether, these findings suggest that SOC has evolved to protect the hypertrophic chondrocytes from the high mechanical stress encountered in the terrestrial environment.

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IGF-I Signaling in Osterix-Expressing Cells Regulates Secondary Ossification Center Formation, Growth Plate Maturation, and Metaphyseal Formation During Postnatal Bone Development

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research ◽

10.1002/jbmr.2563 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 30 (12) ◽

pp. 2239-2248 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Yongmei Wang ◽

Alicia Menendez ◽

Chak Fong ◽

Hashem Z ElAlieh ◽

Takuo Kubota ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Plate ◽

Bone Development ◽

Ossification Center ◽

Igf I ◽

Secondary Ossification Center

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Secondary ossification center induces and protects growth plate structure

10.1101/571612 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Meng Xie ◽

Pavel Gol’din ◽

Anna Nele Herdina ◽

Jordi Estefa ◽

Ekaterina V Medvedeva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Stress ◽

Growth Plate ◽

Hypertrophic Chondrocytes ◽

Ossification Center ◽

Anatomical Entity ◽

Terrestrial Environment ◽

Force Microscopy ◽

Atomic Force ◽

High Mechanical Stress ◽

Secondary Ossification Center

AbstractGrowth plate and articular cartilage constitute a single anatomical entity early in development, but later separate into two distinct structures by the secondary ossification center (SOC). The reason for such separation remains unknown. We found that evolutionarily SOC appears in animals conquering the land - amniotes. Analysis of ossification pattern in mammals with specialized extremities (whales, bats, jerboa) revealed that SOC development correlates with the extent of mechanical loads. Mathematical modelling revealed that SOC reduces mechanical stress within the growth plate. Functional experiments revealed high vulnerability of hypertrophic chondrocytes to mechanical stress and showed that SOC protects these cells from apoptosis caused by extensive loading. Atomic force microscopy showed that hypertrophic chondrocytes are the least mechanically stiff cells within the growth plate. Altogether, these findings suggest that SOC has evolved to protect the hypertrophic chondrocytes from the high mechanical stress encountered in the terrestrial environment.

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Secondary ossification center protects growth plate chondrocytes from mechanical stress

Bone Reports ◽

10.1016/j.bonr.2020.100663 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 ◽

pp. 100663

Author(s):

Meng Xie ◽

Lei Li ◽

Phillip Newton ◽

Lauren Shumate ◽

Shigeki Nishimori ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Stress ◽

Growth Plate ◽

Ossification Center ◽

Growth Plate Chondrocytes ◽

Secondary Ossification Center

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Growth Plate Structure and Function

Pathology and Immunopathology Research ◽

10.1159/000157084 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 7 (1-2) ◽

pp. 9-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Ernst B. Hunziker

Keyword(s):

Growth Plate ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Plate Structure ◽

And Function

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Radiological study of Os trigonum and its clinical significance

Asian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3126/ajms.v12i12.39443 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (12) ◽

pp. 173-176

Author(s):

Mallikarjun Adibatti ◽

Muthiah Pitchandi ◽

V Bhuvaneswari

Keyword(s):

Correct Diagnosis ◽

Distal Tibia ◽

Causative Factor ◽

Ossification Center ◽

Flexor Hallucis Longus ◽

Ankle Pain ◽

Posterior Aspect ◽

Os Trigonum ◽

Orthopedic Surgeons ◽

Secondary Ossification Center

Background: Os trigonum (OST) is commonly located on the posterior aspect of the talus. It occurs as a result of secondary ossification center failing to fuse with the lateral tubercle of the posterior process of the talus; its incidence varies between 2 and 25%, and is more often bilateral. It occurs as an intra-articular Os, which is most often securely rooted to the lateral tubercle of the talus by a fibrocartilaginous synchondrosis. Aims and Objective: To determine the incidence, morphology, and distribution of Os Trigonum (OST). Materials and Methods: Retrospective 500 lateral foot radiographs view were studied to determine the incidence, morphology, and distribution of OST. Results: Incidence of OST in the present study was 6.6%, with predominantly round or ovoid in shape. OST was located on the posterolateral aspect of the talus. Conclusion: OST can be one of the causative factor responsible for Flexor hallucis longus tendonitis, OST syndrome, which occur in plantarflexion of the ankle, leading to compression of the OST between the distal tibia and the calcaneus. Hence, knowledge regarding the incidence, morphology, and distribution of OST is important for the radiologist, orthopedic surgeons to arrive at a correct diagnosis, which aids in the management of cases presenting with complaints of posterior ankle pain.

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A QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE GROWTH PLATE DESCRIPTION — A SIMPLE FRAMEWORK FOR CHONDROCYTES COLUMNAR ARRANGEMENT EVALUATION

Journal of Mechanics in Medicine and Biology ◽

10.1142/s0219519416500548 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 16 (04) ◽

pp. 1650054 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

JOHANA MARIA GUEVARA ◽

HECTOR ALFONSO CASTRO-ABRIL ◽

LUIS ALEJANDRO BARRERA ◽

DIEGO ALEXANDER GARZÓN-ALVARADO

Keyword(s):

Growth Plate ◽

Single Parameter ◽

Complete Picture ◽

Longitudinal Growth ◽

Long Bones ◽

Plate Structure ◽

Reliable Tool ◽

Histological Characteristics ◽

Growth Evaluation ◽

Qualitative Observation

The growth plate is a cartilaginous structure located in the metaphysis of long bones, characterized histologically by its stratification and columnar arrangement. It is responsible for assuring longitudinal growth. Evaluation of growth plate histological characteristics has been traditionally performed using qualitative observation; however, some quantitative approaches have been reported using complex techniques. Here, we propose a simple quantitative images based analysis in order to evaluate objectively columnar arrangement within growth plate. For this, we defined six descriptors that were condensated in a geometric tensor. This tensor could be used as a single parameter to evaluate the growth plate organization. Validation of the tensor was performed with growth plate microphotographs of three healthy species (rat, pig and rabbit) and an abnormal one (Csf1tl/Csf1tl rat) found in specialized literature. According to our results, the descriptors and the tensor give a complete picture of the organization of the growth plate, reflecting the expected stratification and columnar arrangement of the cells within the tissue. This methodology could be a reliable tool for evaluation of growth plate structure for research and diagnostic purposes, taking into account that it can be easily implemented.

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