Matrilin-3 is a member of the recently described matrilin family of extracellular matrix proteins containing von Willebrand factor A-like domains. The matrilin-3 subunit can form homotetramers as well as hetero-oligomers together with subunits of matrilin-1 (cartilage matrix protein). It has a restricted tissue distribution and is strongly expressed in growing skeletal tissues. Detailed information on expression and distribution of extracellular matrix proteins is important to understand cartilage function in health and in disease like osteoarthritis.
Matrilin-3 expression was analysed on decalcified normal cartilage/bone sections (N = 5) and decalcified cartilage/ bone sections with minor (N= 10), moderate (N = 10), and severe osteoarthritic lesions (N = 10). Osteoarthritic changes were classified histomorphologically, using the grading system of Mankin. Matrilin-3 expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, Western blot analysis, and quantitative PCR. For immunohistochemistry, a polyclonal antibody against matrilin-3 was used. For Western blot analysis, cartilage extracts were obtained from normal and osteoarthritic samples, partially purified, and separated in SDS poly-acrylamide gelelectrophoreses. After blotting onto nitro-cellulose, matrilin-3 was visualized by incubation with the polyclonal anti-matrilin-3 antibody and chemiluminescence detection. Matrilin-3 -mRNA expression was determined by in situ hybridization using a digoxigenin-labeled anti-sense probe.
Our results indicate that matrilin-3 is a mandatory component of mature articular cartilage with its expression being restricted to chondrocytes from the tangential zone and the upper middle cartilage zone. Osteoarthritic cartilage samples with only moderate morphological osteoarthritic destructions have elevated levels of matrilin-3 mRNA. In parallel, we found an increased deposition of matrilin-3 protein in the cartilage matrix. Matrilin-3 staining was diffusely distributed in the cartilage matrix, with no cellular staining being detectable. In cartilage samples with minor osteoarthritic lesions, matrilin-3 deposition was restricted to the middle zone and to the upper deep zone. A strong correlation was found between enhanced matrilin-3 gene and protein expression and the extent of tissue damage. Sections with severe osteoarthritic destruction showed the highest amount of matrilin-3 mRNA, strong signals in in situ hybridization, and prominent protein deposition in the middle and deep cartilage zone.
We conclude that matrilin-3 is an integral component of human articular cartilage matrix and that the enhanced expression of matrilin-3 in osteoarthritis may be a cellular response to the modified microenvironment in the disease.
Aims. Osteoporosis (OP) is a metabolic bone disease, characterized by a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD). However, the research of regulatory variants has been limited for BMD. In this study, we aimed to explore novel regulatory genetic variants associated with BMD. Methods. We conducted an integrative analysis of BMD genome-wide association study (GWAS) and regulatory single nucleotide polymorphism (rSNP) annotation information. Firstly, the discovery GWAS dataset and replication GWAS dataset were integrated with rSNP annotation database to obtain BMD associated SNP regulatory elements and SNP regulatory element-target gene (E-G) pairs, respectively. Then, the common genes were further subjected to HumanNet v2 to explore the biological effects. Results. Through discovery and replication integrative analysis for BMD GWAS and rSNP annotation database, we identified 36 common BMD-associated genes for BMD irrespective of regulatory elements, such as FAM3C (p. discovery GWAS. = 1.21 × 10. -25. , p. replication GWAS. = 1.80 × 10. -12. ), CCDC170 (p. discovery GWAS. = 1.23 × 10. -11. , p. replication GWAS. = 3.22 × 10. -9. ), and SOX6 (p. discovery GWAS. = 4.41 × 10. -15. , p. replication GWAS. = 6.57 × 10. -14. ). Then, for the 36 common target genes, multiple gene ontology (GO) terms were detected for BMD such as positive regulation of cartilage development (p = 9.27 × 10. -3. ) and positive regulation of
Aims. Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is a promising treatment for articular cartilage degeneration and injury; however, it requires a large number of human hyaline chondrocytes, which often undergo dedifferentiation during in vitro expansion. This study aimed to investigate the effect of suramin on
Aims. This study aimed to investigate the effect of solute carrier family 20 member 2 (SLC20A2) gene mutation (identified from a hereditary multiple exostoses family) on chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation. Methods. ATDC5 chondrocytes were cultured in insulin-transferrin-selenium medium to induce differentiation. Cells were transfected with pcDNA3.0 plasmids with either a wild-type (WT) or mutated (MUT) SLC20A2 gene. The inorganic phosphate (Pi) concentration in the medium of cells was determined. The expression of markers of chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation, the Indian hedgehog (Ihh), and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) pathway were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting. Results. The expression of SLC20A2 in MUT group was similar to WT group. The Pi concentration in the medium of cells in MUT group was significantly higher than WT group, which meant the SLC20A2 mutation inhibited Pi uptake in ATDC5 chondrocytes. The proliferation rate of ATDC5 chondrocytes in MUT group was greater than WT group. The expression of aggrecan (Acan), α-1 chain of type II collagen (COL2A1), and SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) were higher in MUT group than WT group. However, the expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), α-1 chain of type X collagen (COL10A1), and matrix metallopeptidase 13 (MMP13) was significantly decreased in the MUT group. Similar results were obtained by Alcian blue and Alizarin red staining. The expression of Ihh and PTHrP in MUT group was higher than WT group. An inhibitor (cyclopamine) of Ihh/PTHrP signalling pathway inhibited the proliferation and restored the
Growth factors produced by inflammatory cells and mesenchymal progenitors are required for proper bone regeneration. Signaling pathways activated downstream of these proteins work in concert and synergistically to drive osteoblast and/or
Bone healing outcome is highly dependent on the initial mechanical fracture environment [1]. In vivo, direct bone healing requires absolute stability and an interfragmentary strain (IFS) below 2% [2]. In the majority of cases, however, endochondral ossification is engaged where frequency and amplitude of IFS are key factors. Still, at the cellular level, the influence of those parameters remains unknown. Understanding the regulation of naïve hMSC differentiation is essential for developing effective bone healing strategies. Human bone-marrow-derived MSC (KEK-ZH-NR: 2010–0444/0) were embedded in 8% gelatin methacryol. Samples (5mm Ø x 4mm) were subjected to 0, 10 and 30% compressive strain (5sec compression, 2hrs pause sequence for 14 days) using a multi-well uniaxial bioreactor (RISystem) and in presence of chondro-permissive medium (CP, DMEM HG, 1% NEAA, 10 µM ITS, 50 µg/mL ascorbic acid, and 100 mM Dex). Cell differentiation was assessed by qRT-PCR and histo-/immunohistology staining. Experiments were repeated 5 times with cells from 5 donors in duplicate. ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc correction or Kurskal-Wallis test with Dunn's correction was used. Data showed a strong upregulation of hypertrophic related genes COMP, MMP13 and Type 10 collagen upon stimulation when compared to chondrogenic SOX9, ACAN, Type 2 collagen or to osteoblastic related genes Type 1 Collagen, Runx2. When compared to chondrogenic control medium, cells in CP with or without stimulation showed low proteoglycan synthesis as shown by Safranine-O-green staining. In addition, the cells were significantly larger in 10% and 30% strain compared to control medium with 0% strain. Type 1 and 10 collagens immunostaining showed stronger Coll 10 expression in the samples subjected to strain compared to control. Uniaxial deformation seems to mainly promote hypertrophic-like
Introduction. Cartilage homeoprotein 1 (CART-1) is a homeoprotein which has been suggested to play a role in
Purpose of the study: Monolayer cultures of chondrocytes multiply and rapidly lose their chondrocyte phenotype, limiting their potential for tissue engineering. Mesenchymatous stem cells can preserve their phenotypic characteristics after several monolayer passages, offering a promising alternative for cartilage repair. The purpose of this work was to study the influence of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta1) and bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP2) and/or culture supplements (hyaluronic acid) on matrix synthesis and
Cartilage is a realistic target for tissue engineering given the avascular nature and cellular composition of the tissue. Much of the work in this field has been largely empirical, indicating the need for alternative approaches to the design of cartilage formation protocols. Given the heterogeneity associated with human mesenchymal populations, continuous cell lines may offer an alternative to model and simplify cartilage generation protocols. We therefore exploited the potential of the murine chondrocytic ATDC5 cell line to, i) delineate the process of
Introduction. In vitro expansion of human articular chondrocytes (HACs) is required for cell-based strategies to treat cartilage defects. We have earlier shown that culturing HACs at increased osmolarity (i.e., 380 mOsm), as compared to plasma osmolarity (i.e., 280 mOsm), increases collagen type II (COL2A1) expression in vitro. Our earlier results showed that knockdown of TGF-β2, a prototypic member of the TGF-β superfamily and an accepted key regulator of
Adult chondrocytes experience a hypoxic environment in vivo. Culturing chondrocytes under oxygen tension that more closely resembles the in vivo situation, i.e. hypoxic conditions, has been shown to have positive effects on matrix synthesis. During redifferentiation of expanded chondrocytes, hypoxia increased collagen type II expression. However, the mechanism by which hypoxia enhances redifferentiation is still incompletely elucidated. We employed micro-bioreactor technology to elucidate the contribution of TGF-β superfamily ligands to the
Background. Transcription factor nuclear factor E2p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is crucial for controlling the antioxidant response and maintaining cellular redox homeostasis. Binding of Nrf2 to antioxidant response elements (ARE) promotes the expression of anti-oxidative stress enzymes. In osteoblasts, Nrf2 directly interacts with Runx2, a strong transcriptional activator of osteoblast-specific genes. Sox9, a key regulator of
Background. Treatment of cartilage defects requires in vitro expansion of human articular chondrocytes (HACs) for autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). During standard expansion culture (i.e. plasma osmolarity, 280 mOsm) chondrocytes inevitably lose their specific phenotype (i.e. collagen type II (COL2) expression). This de-differentiation makes them inappropriate for ACI. Physiological osmolarity (i.e. 380 mOsm) improves COL2 expression in vitro, but the underlying reason is unknown. However, an accepted key regulator of
As cartilage has poor intrinsic repair capacity, in vitroexpansion of human articular chondrocytes (HACs) is required for cell-based therapies to treat cartilage pathologies. During standard expansion culture (i.e. plasma osmolarity, 280 mOsm) chondrocytes inevitably lose their specific phenotype and de-differentiate, which makes them inappropriate for autologous chondrocyte implantation. It has been shown that physiological osmolarity (i.e. 380 mOsm) increases collagen type II (COL2) expression in vitro, but the underlying molecular mechanism is unknown. Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) super family members are accepted key regulators of
To regenerate the complex tissue such as bone-cartilage construct using tissue engineering approaches, controllable differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into chondrogenic and osteogenic lineages is crucially important. Although bilayered scaffolds have been investigated in vitro and in vivo, no culture system is available to test BMSCs differentiation into bone and cartilage simultaneously in bilayered scaffolds. This study investigated a defined culture media, which supported osteoblast and
Our aim was to evaluate the expression of transcription factors CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-beta (C/EBP. β. ) and C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP) in the growth plate. Proximal tibial epiphyseal growth plates from ten 15-day-old Wistar rats were used. Additionally, anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), anti-5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunostaining, terminal transferase dUTP nick end-labelling (TUNEL) and nucleolar organiser region-associated proteins (AgNOR) techniques were peformed. The histological morphology of the growth plate from C/EBP. β. knock-out mice was also analysed. The normal growth plate showed that C/EBP. β. and CHOP factors are expressed both in the germinative/ upper proliferative and in the lower proliferative zones. Furthermore, BdrU+ and PCNA+ cells were present exclusively in the germinative and proliferative zones, while TUNEL+ and AgNOR+ cells were seen in all three zones of the growth plate. Acellular areas, hypocellularity, the increase in cell death and anomalies in the architecture of the cell columns were observed in the growth plates of C/EBP. β. (−/ −) knockout mice. We suggest that C/EBP. β. and CHOP transcription factors may be key modulators participating in the
Currently, the effect of drug treatment for osteoporosis is relatively poor, and the side effects are numerous and serious. Melatonin is a potential drug to improve bone mass in postmenopausal women. Unfortunately, the mechanism by which melatonin improves bone metabolism remains unclear. The aim of this study was to further investigate the potential mechanism of melatonin in the treatment of osteoporosis. The effects of melatonin on mitochondrial apoptosis protein, bmal1 gene, and related pathway proteins of RAW264.7 (mouse mononuclear macrophage leukaemia cells) were analyzed by western blot. Cell Counting Kit-8 was used to evaluate the effect of melatonin on cell viability. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the effect of melatonin on the apoptosis of RAW264.7 cells and mitochondrial membrane potential. A reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection kit was used to evaluate the level of ROS in osteoclast precursors. We used bmal1-small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to downregulate the Aims
Methods
To explore the novel molecular mechanisms of histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) in chondrocytes via RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis. Empty adenovirus (EP) and a Aims
Methods
To test the hypothesis that reseeded anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-derived cells have a better ability to survive and integrate into tendon extracellular matrix (ECM) and accelerate the ligamentization process, compared to adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs). Acellularized tibialis allograft tendons were used. Tendons were randomly reseeded with ACL-derived cells or ADMSCs. ACL-derived cells were harvested and isolated from remnants of ruptured ACLs during reconstruction surgery and cultured at passage three. Cell suspensions (200 µl) containing 2 × 106 ACL-derived cells or ADMSCs were prepared for the purpose of reseeding. At days 1, 3, and 7 post-reseeding, graft composites were assessed for repopulation with histological and immunohistochemical analysis. Matrix protein contents and gene expression levels were analyzed.Aims
Methods
Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) has a crucial role in osteochondrogenesis of bone formation as well as in the repair of fractures. The interaction between hedgehog protein and BMPs is inferred from recent molecular studies. Hedgehog genes encode secreted proteins which mediate patterning and growth during skeletal development. We have shown that Indian hedgehog gene (Ihh) is expressed in cartilage anlage and later in mature and hypertrophic chondrocytes. This finding suggests that Ihh may regulate the development of chondrocytes. Our results in this study have shown that Ihh transcripts were expressed in hypertrophic chondrocytes in mice at three days but not at three weeks, although a similar expression pattern of α1 (X) collagen could be observed in both types of cartilage. To investigate the possibility that there are direct and age-dependent functions of Ihh in chondrocytes, cultured chondrocytes were treated with the amino-terminal fragment of Sonic hedgehog protein (Shh-N) which can functionally substitute for Ihh protein. Shh-N did not affect the proliferation and