BACKGROUND:In order to confirm whether RhoA/ROCK transduction pathway play an active role in in vivo articular cartilage degeneration or osteoarthritis, we designed this experiment. OBJECTIVE:To explore the role of the RhoA/ROCK transduction pathway in the process of articular cartilage degeneration. METHODS:Total y 36 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into a control and 2-, 4-and 6-week immobilization groups, and the right hindlimbs of rabbits were immobilized with plaster bandage in extension position except those in the control group. The articular cartilage of the lateral tibial plateau was harvested for hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry to observe the pathological changes and the content of RhoA and ROCK. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The articular cartilage degenerated with time prolonged, and the Mankin scores showed there were significant differences among groups (P<0.05). Immunohistochemical results showed that the RhoA/ROCK transduction pathway was motivated mainly in the tangent layer and the middle layer of the cartilage and inhibited with immobilization time prolonged. The RhoA/ROCK transduction pathway takes an important role in the process of articular cartilage degeneration.% 背景：RhoA/ROCK信号通路在活体内关节软骨退变或者骨性关节炎的病理过程中是否发挥着作用，为此设计了该实验。目的：探索RhoA/ROCK信号通路在软骨退变过程中的作用。方法：采用家兔右膝关节伸直位制动模型，对制动2，4，6周及对照组家兔的右膝关节胫骨平台负重面全层软骨进行苏木精-伊红染色、番红O染色及RhoA、ROCK免疫组织化学染色，比较制动前后软骨组织学、病理积分及RhoA、ROCK表达变化情况。结果与结论：随着制动时间的延长，关节软骨退变程度逐渐加重，Mankin 评分逐渐增加，且各组评分之间差异有显著性意义(P<0.05)。免疫组织化学提示RhoA、ROCK表达变化主要集中在切线层及中间层软骨，且二者在关节软骨退变过程中表达变化趋势一致，均为先增多后减少。结果表明，在关节软骨退变过程中，RhoA/ROCK信号通路表达先递增后逐渐降低，RhoA/ROCK信号通路在异常应力所致的关节软骨退变过程中发挥了效应。
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