Increased apoptosis in rat osteoarthritic cartilage corresponds to degenerative chondral lesions and concomitant expression of caspase-3

摘要

Our results suggest that positivity for caspase 3 in experimental rat OA closely correlates with OA grade and percentage of apoptosis as depicted by TUNEL. Caspase 3 expression may herald imminent apoptosis better than TUNEL assay, and thus, may act as a surrogate specific marker for early chondrocyte apoptosis (or chondroptosis). Finally, the key role that caspase 3 plays in executing apoptosis make it a potential target for apoptosis modulation.