Figure 2From: Alterations in the vimentin cytoskeleton in response to single impact load in an in vitro model of cartilage damage in the rat 2a Histological section of cartilage obtained from the distal femur of a rat at 23 weeks of age. This is a control section i.e. has not received single impact load and it is has not been cultured i.e. represents a control section, T = 0. Stained with toluidine blue. There is no damage to the cartilage; the articular surface is smooth and flat. There are no micro-fractures or fragments and there is no loss of proteoglycan. Scale bar = 10 μm. 2b Histological section of cartilage obtained from the distal femur of a rat at 23 weeks of age. This cartilage has been impacted with a single impact load of 200 g from 8 cm. T = 0. Stained with toluidine blue. There is marked surface damage to the cartilage including lamination. Scale bar = 10 μm. 2c Histological section of cartilage obtained from the distal femur of a rat at 23 weeks of age. This cartilage has been impacted with a single impact load of 200 g from 8 cm. T = 0. Stained with toluidine blue. There is marked surface damage to the cartilage including the formation of a fragment discreet from the parent cartilage. Scale bar = 10 μm. 2d Histological section of cartilage obtained from the distal femur of a rat at 23 weeks of age. This cartilage has been impacted with a single impact load of 200 g from 8 cm. This cartilage has been cultured for 48 hours i.e. T = 48 h. Stained with toluidine blue. There is a fissure at the articular surface and marked proteoglycan loss. Scale bar = 10 μmBack to article page