Histomorphological study of the spinal growth plates from the convex side and the concave side in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Asymmetrical growth of the vertebrae has been implicated as one possible etiologic factor in the pathogenesis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The longitudinal vertebral growth derives from the endochondral ossification of the vertebral growth plate. In the present study, the growth plates from the convex and concave side of the vertebrae were characterized by the method of histology and immunohistochemistry to evaluate the growth activity, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Normal zoned architectures were observed in the convex side of the growth plate and disorganized architectures in the concave side. The histological grades were significantly different between the convex and the concave side of the growth plate in the apex vertebrae (P < 0.05). The histological difference was also found significant statistically between end vertebrae and apex vertebrae in the concave side of vertebral growth plates (P < 0.05). The proliferative potential indexes and apoptosis indexes of chondrocytes in the proliferative and hypertrophic zone in the convex side were significantly higher than that in the concave side in the apex vertebral growth plate (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference of the proliferative potential index (proliferating cell nuclear antigen, PCNA index) between convex side and concave side at the upper end vertebra (P < 0.05). The difference of the proliferative potential index and apoptosis index were found significant statistically in the concave side of the vertebral growth plate between end vertebrae and apex vertebrae (P < 0.05). The same result was also found for the apoptosis index (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate biotin nick end labeling assay, TUNEL index) in the convex side of vertebral growth plate between end vertebrae and apex vertebrae (P < 0.05). Some correlation were found between radiographic measurements and proliferation and apoptosis indexes. The difference in histological grades and cellular activity between the convex and concave side indicated that the bilateral growth plate of the vertebrae in AIS patients have different growth kinetics which may affect the curve progression

Microphotographs of TUNEL-positive chondrocytes in the resting zone and in the proliferative & hypertrophic zone of growth plate of apex vertebrae in AIS patient(Magnification: 400×)

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Histomorphological study of the spinal growth plates from the convex side and the concave side in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis"</p><p>http://www.josr-online.com/content/2/1/19</p><p>Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research 2007;2():19-19.</p><p>Published online 11 Nov 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2186319.</p><p></p> TUNEL-positive chondrocytes (arrows) in the resting zone of convex side(A). TUNEL-positive chondrocytes (arrows) in the resting zone of concave side(B). TUNEL-positive chondrocytes (arrows) in the proliferative & hypertrophic zone of convex side(C). TUNEL-positive chondrocytes (arrows) in the proliferative & hypertrophic zone of concave side(D)

Microphotographs of PCNA-positive chondrocytes (arrows) in the resting zone and in the proliferative & hypertrophic zone of growth plate of apex vertebrae in AIS patient under micro camera(Magnification: 400×)

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Histomorphological study of the spinal growth plates from the convex side and the concave side in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis"</p><p>http://www.josr-online.com/content/2/1/19</p><p>Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research 2007;2():19-19.</p><p>Published online 11 Nov 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2186319.</p><p></p> PCNA-positive chondrocytes (arrows) in the resting zone of convex side(A). PCNA-positive chondrocytes (arrows) in the resting zone of concave side(B). PCNA-positive chondrocytes (arrows) in the proliferative & hypertrophic zone of convex side(C). PCNA-positive chondrocytes (arrows) in the proliferative & hypertrophic zone of concave side(D)

Microphotographs of PARP-positive chondrocytes in the resting zone and in the proliferative & hypertrophic zone of growth plate of apex vertebrae in AIS patient(Magnification: 400×)

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Histomorphological study of the spinal growth plates from the convex side and the concave side in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis"</p><p>http://www.josr-online.com/content/2/1/19</p><p>Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research 2007;2():19-19.</p><p>Published online 11 Nov 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2186319.</p><p></p> PARP-positive chondrocytes (arrows) in the resting zone of convex side(A). PARP-positive chondrocytes (arrows) in the resting zone of concave side(B). PARP-positive chondrocytes (arrows) in the proliferative & hypertrophic zone of convex side(C). PARP-positive chondrocytes (arrows) in the proliferative & hypertrophic zone of concave side(D)