The effect of growth on collagen and glycosaminoglycans in the articular disc of the rat temporomandibular joint.

Newly synthesized collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAG) were studied in the temporomandibular discs of male Sprague-Dawley rats of 3-13 weeks of age. Each age group had eight animals and [14C]glycine or [3H]glucosamine were used to determine the proportion of newly synthesized type III to type I collagens or the proportion of different types of newly synthesized GAGs during 4 h of labelling in organ culture. Separation of newly synthesized collagen bands from rat disc by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a peak in type III at the ages of 7 and 8 weeks. Type III collagen synthesis and the rate of mandibular growth were strongly related through all ages studied. GAG chains were separated by cellulose-acetate electrophoresis. Calculation of disintegrations/min per mg of wet disc tissue for each GAG peak showed that hyaluronic acid (HA), chondroitin-6-sulphate and keratan sulphate/chondroitin-4-sulphate (KS/C4S) were the predominant molecules synthesized in the disc. There was also a steady increase in newly synthesized HA and C6S synthesis up to 6 and 7 weeks respectively. Proportions of newly synthesized C4S/KS, HA and C6S were significantly higher than those of other GAGs with respect to ageing. From these observations it appears that the articular disc shows more of the characteristics of cartilage, as evidenced by the increased amounts of C6S and KS/C4S during the mandibular growth spurt at the ages of 6 and 7 weeks, similar to that of type III collagen. There were also increased amounts of HA, suggesting that during 5-7 weeks of age the rat disc is undergoing more active remodelling. This study provides baseline data for further analysis of the effects of mechanical loading and trauma on articular disc responses.