The commercial pig as a model of spontaneously-occurring osteoarthritis.

Background: Preclinical osteoarthritis models where damage occurs spontaneously may better reflect the initiation and development of human osteoarthritis. The aim was to assess the commercial pig as a model of spontaneous osteoarthritis development by examining pain-associated behaviour, joint cartilage integrity, as well as the use of porcine cartilage explants and isolated chondrocytes and osteoblasts for ex vivo and in vitro studies.

Methods: Female pigs (Large white x Landrace x Duroc) were examined at different ages from 6 weeks to 3-4 years old. Lameness was assessed as a marker of pain-associated behaviour. Femorotibial joint cartilage integrity was determined by chondropathy scoring and histological staining of proteoglycan. IL-6 production and proteoglycan degradation was assessed in cartilage explants and primary porcine chondrocytes by ELISA and DMMB assay. Primary porcine osteoblasts from damaged and non-damaged joints, as determined by chondropathy scoring, were assessed for mineralisation, proliferative and mitochondrial function as a marker of metabolic capacity.

Results: Pigs aged 80 weeks and older exhibited lameness. Osteoarthritic lesions in femoral condyle and tibial plateau cartilage were apparent from 40 weeks and increased in severity with age up to 3-4 years old. Cartilage from damaged joints exhibited proteoglycan loss, which positively correlated with chondropathy score. Stimulation of porcine cartilage explants and primary chondrocytes with either IL-1β or visfatin induced IL-6 production and proteoglycan degradation. Primary porcine osteoblasts from damaged joints exhibited reduced proliferative, mineralisation, and metabolic capacity.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the commercial pig represents an alternative model of spontaneous osteoarthritis and an excellent source of tissue for in vitro and ex vivo studies.