The RAAK study is aimed at the biobanking of joint materials as well as mesenchymal stem cells and primary chondrocytes from patients and controls in the Leiden University Medical Center and collaborating outpatient clinics in the Leiden area. In the current study we used paired preserved and OA affected cartilage samples for 33 donors undergoing joint replacement surgery for primary OA (22 hips, 11 knees). Characteristics of the donors are shown in Table S1 .
At the moment of collection (within 2 hours following surgery) tissue was washed extensively with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) to decrease the risk of contamination by blood. Cartilage was classified macroscopically and collected separately from OA affected and preserved regions around the weight-bearing area of the joint (Figure S1 ). Classification was done based on predefined features of OA related damage as described previously [9] (link), [10] (link): color/whiteness of the cartilage, surface integrity as determined by visible fibrillation/crack formation, and depth and hardness of the cartilage upon sampling with a scalpel. Care was taken to avoid contamination with bone or synovium. Collected cartilage was snap frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −80°C prior to RNA extraction.
At the moment of collection (within 2 hours following surgery) tissue was washed extensively with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) to decrease the risk of contamination by blood. Cartilage was classified macroscopically and collected separately from OA affected and preserved regions around the weight-bearing area of the joint (
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