Visiopharm Launches New APPs for Osteoarthritis
Visiopharm’s APPCenter has rapidly grown to almost 50 Analysis Protocol Packages (APPs) designed for Quantitative Digital Pathology in several scientific fields, with our newest APPs in Osteoarthritis described below. APPs are ready-to-run image analysis protocols designed both for common and more specialized needs. Visit our APPCenter to learn more about our cost effective, easy to use APPs.
Identify Chondrocytes in Cartilage
Background
Traditionally, the evaluation of the severity of cartilage damage is done by subjective semi-quantitative grading of the different histopathological features using defined
systems. However, even with ‘blinding’ of the observers and sample randomization, this methodology is prone to bias, suffers from low sensitivity to change and requires considerable experience in histopathology. On the other hand, quantitative digital histomorphometry of cartilage destruction can offer an objective, less time consuming and more sensitive assessment of OA histopathology.
This APP can be used for quantifying profile density of chondrocytes in cartilage explants from bovine joints and is of relevance for different OA models, concerning pro anabolic or anti catabolic factors. To answer this specific question a Ehrlich Triacid staining was choosen, because it allows the best differentiation between cartilage, bone and nuclei. The APP has been verified in treatment studies. Learn more…
The output variables obtained from this APP include:
- Area of Cartilage = Sum of the cartilage area
- Count of profiles in Cartilage = Number of nuclei profiles in the region of interest.
This APP was developed for, and validated by, Dr. Sven Lindemann, Simone Hartl, Merck KGaA, Osteoarthritis, General Research and Early Development.
Measure Fibrillation Index, Bone Density, and Cartilage Area
Background
Traditionally, the evaluation of the severity of joint damage is done by subjective semi-quantitative grading of the different histopathological features using defined scoring systems (reference). However, even with “blinding’ of the observers and sample randomization, this methodology is prone to bias, suffers from low sensitivity to change and requires considerable experience in histopathology. On the other hand, quantitative digital histomorphometry of cartilage destruction and subchondral bone sclerosis can offer an objective, less time consuming and more sensitive assessment of OA histopathology (reference).
This APP can be used for quantifying a number of parameters relating to joint damage: Cartilage volume/area, surface fibrillation and proteoglycan loss (intensity measure). The APP has been verified in treatment studies. Learn more…
The output variables obtained from this APP include:
- Cartilage Area – Proteoglycan = Area of Safranin-O stained cartilage within the Analysis Box
- Cartilage Area = Total area of cartilage within the Analysis Box
- Cartilage Area Fraction – Proteoglycan = Fraction of cartilage stained with Safranin-O
- Fibrillation Index = Euclidean distance between ends of cartilage surface towards femur divided with distance between ends of cartilage along cartilage surface
- Bone Density = Part of bone area consisting of solid bone
This APP was developed in corporation with and verified by, Dr. Sven Lindemann and Donata Harazin, Merck KGaA, Germany, Osteoarthritis Research & Early Clinical Development.
