Biomaterial Database

The ultrastructure and biochemistry of meniscal cartilage. 1990

C A McDevitt, and R J Webber

Department of Musculoskeletal Research, Cleveland Clinic Foundation Research Institute, Ohio 44195.

The meniscus is characterized at the light microscopic and ultrastructural levels by thick collagen fibers that are predominantly circumferential in orientation. The extracellular matrix of the meniscus is composed mainly of collagen, with smaller quantities of proteoglycans, matrix glycoproteins, and elastin. The collagen is predominantly Type I, with smaller quantities of Types II, III, and V. The proteoglycans are mainly large, aggregating proteoglycans with chondroitin sulfate as their dominant glycosaminoglycan. A small proportion of small dermatan sulfate proteoglycans is probably present. The matrix glycoproteins include the link proteins, the 116-k protein, and a group of adhesive or potentially adhesive proteins that includes Type VI collagen (here classified as a glycoprotein with a collagenous domain), fibronectin, and thrombospondin. The fibrochondrocytes of the meniscus appear to have considerable potential to respond to growth and other modulating factors in the repair or regeneration of the tissue.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008592	Menisci, Tibial	The interarticular fibrocartilages of the superior surface of the tibia.	Lateral Menisci,Medial Menisci,Menisci, Lateral,Menisci, Medial,Semilunar Cartilages,Tibial Menisci,Meniscus, Medial,Meniscus, Tibial,Tibial Meniscus,Cartilage, Semilunar,Cartilages, Semilunar,Lateral Meniscus,Medial Meniscus,Meniscus, Lateral,Semilunar Cartilage
D011509	Proteoglycans	Glycoproteins which have a very high polysaccharide content.	Proteoglycan,Proteoglycan Type H
D005109	Extracellular Matrix	A meshwork-like substance found within the extracellular space and in association with the basement membrane of the cell surface. It promotes cellular proliferation and provides a supporting structure to which cells or cell lysates in culture dishes adhere.	Matrix, Extracellular,Extracellular Matrices,Matrices, Extracellular
D006023	Glycoproteins	Conjugated protein-carbohydrate compounds including MUCINS; mucoid, and AMYLOID glycoproteins.	C-Glycosylated Proteins,Glycosylated Protein,Glycosylated Proteins,N-Glycosylated Proteins,O-Glycosylated Proteins,Glycoprotein,Neoglycoproteins,Protein, Glycosylated,Proteins, C-Glycosylated,Proteins, Glycosylated,Proteins, N-Glycosylated,Proteins, O-Glycosylated
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000375	Aging	The gradual irreversible changes in structure and function of an organism that occur as a result of the passage of time.	Senescence,Aging, Biological,Biological Aging
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D015444	Exercise	Physical activity which is usually regular and done with the intention of improving or maintaining PHYSICAL FITNESS or HEALTH. Contrast with PHYSICAL EXERTION which is concerned largely with the physiologic and metabolic response to energy expenditure.	Aerobic Exercise,Exercise, Aerobic,Exercise, Isometric,Exercise, Physical,Isometric Exercise,Physical Activity,Acute Exercise,Exercise Training,Activities, Physical,Activity, Physical,Acute Exercises,Aerobic Exercises,Exercise Trainings,Exercise, Acute,Exercises,Exercises, Acute,Exercises, Aerobic,Exercises, Isometric,Exercises, Physical,Isometric Exercises,Physical Activities,Physical Exercise,Physical Exercises,Training, Exercise,Trainings, Exercise