Immunohistochemical studies of age-related changes in the mandibular condyle of the Senescence Accelerated Mouse (SAM)

Abstract

I examined the immunohistochemical localization of type I, type II and type X collagens, and hyaluronic acid binding protein (HABP) in the mandibular condylar cartilage of SAMR l (senescence accelerated mouse, resistant) and SAMP 8 (senescence accelerated mouse, prone). With ageing, the staining of type I collagen decreased in the intermediate and hypertrophic zone. Type II collagen was present throughout the cartilage. Type X collagen was present around chondrocytes in the articular zone. The staining of HABP decreased in the intermediate and hypertrophic zone. These immunohistochemical changes were observed in the SAMP 8 strain earlier than in SAMR l. These results indicate that this characteristic response may be related to accelerated senescence.