Regulation and function of trans-physeal growth plate bridges: evidence for a mechanical base isolation role to minimise epiphyseal shear stress

Abstract

The cartilaginous growth plate (GP) is responsible for all bone elongation during post-natal growth yet must simultaneously contribute to mechanical epiphyseal stability for articulation. How the GP balances these dual functions across the bone-cartilage-bone epiphyseal interface during complex load-growth transitions is not defined. Herein, we examine regulation and mechanobiology of GP bridges - mineralised trans-physeal GP structures - to explore whether they serve these dual GP functions. We have determined the effects of age and sex, short- and long-term joint loading and several established and new osteotropic pharmacological agents on mouse tibial GP bridge number and areal density using micro-computed tomography. We also explored temporal formation and progression of GP bridges by serial in vivo scanning and we imaged epiphyseal load-transfer in young and mature mice in situ via synchrotron X-ray computed tomography (sCT) of intact joints under physiologically oriented load. Our utilisation of digital volume correlation revealed regional 3D load-induced strain inhomogeneities in the GP that are synchronised to bridge location and this was substantiated using finite element modelling. Furthermore, direct micro- and sCT examinations showed that bridges consistently contain a singular epiphyseal/metaphyseal discontinuity which appear to serve a novel mechanical base isolation role to minimise shear stress across the GP. Our data indicate that bridges are regulatable, dynamic structures that synchronise GP strains and exhibit sensitivity to local joint mechanics. We highlight that trans-physeal bridges may contribute to longitudinal bone growth cessation whilst simultaneously stabilising the epiphysis by absorbing compression and shear strains.