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Tenascin-C expression controls the maturation of articular cartilage in mice.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:Expression of the de-adhesive extracellular matrix protein tenascin-C (TNC) is associated with the early postnatal development of articular cartilage which is both load-dependent and associated with chondrocyte differentiation. We assessed morphological changes in the articular cartilage of TNC deficient mice at postnatal ages of 1, 4 and 8 weeks compared to age-matched wildtype mice. RESULTS:Cartilage integrity was assessed based on hematoxylin and eosin stained-sections from the tibial bone using a modified Mankin score. Chondrocyte density and cartilage thickness were assessed morphometrically. TNC expression was localized based on immunostaining. At 8 weeks of age, the formed tangential/transitional zone of the articular cartilage was 27% thicker and the density of chondrocytes in the articular cartilage was 55% lower in wildtype than the TNC-deficient mice. TNC protein expression was associated with chondrocytes. No relevant changes were found in mice at 1 and 4 weeks of age. The findings indicate a role of tenascin-C in the post-natal maturation of the extracellular matrix in articular cartilage. This might be a compensatory mechanism to strengthen resilience against mechanical stress.

SUBMITTER: Gruber BL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7027060 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Tenascin-C expression controls the maturation of articular cartilage in mice.

Gruber Bastian L BL Mienaltowski Michael J MJ MacLeod James N JN Schittny Johannes J Kasper Stephanie S Flück Martin M

BMC research notes 20200217 1

<h4>Objective</h4>Expression of the de-adhesive extracellular matrix protein tenascin-C (TNC) is associated with the early postnatal development of articular cartilage which is both load-dependent and associated with chondrocyte differentiation. We assessed morphological changes in the articular cartilage of TNC deficient mice at postnatal ages of 1, 4 and 8 weeks compared to age-matched wildtype mice.<h4>Results</h4>Cartilage integrity was assessed based on hematoxylin and eosin stained-section ...[more]

PMID: 32066496

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Project description:BackgroundArticular cartilage undergoes an important maturation process from neonate to adult that is reflected by alterations in matrix protein organization and increased heterogeneity of chondrocyte morphology. In the horse, these changes are influenced by exercise during the first five months of postnatal life. Transcriptional profiling was used to evaluate changes in articular chondrocyte gene expression during postnatal growth and development.MethodsTotal RNA was isolated from the articular cartilage of neonatal (0-10 days) and adult (4-5 years) horses, subjected to one round of linear RNA amplification, and then applied to a 9,367-element equine-specific cDNA microarray. Comparisons were made with a dye-swap experimental design. Microarray results for selected genes (COL2A1, COMP, P4HA1, TGFB1, TGFBR3, TNC) were validated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).ResultsFifty-six probe sets, which represent 45 gene products, were up-regulated (p < 0.01) in chondrocytes of neonatal articular cartilage relative to chondrocytes of adult articular cartilage. Conversely, 586 probe sets, which represent 499 gene products, were up-regulated (p < 0.01) in chondrocytes of adult articular cartilage relative to chondrocytes of neonatal articular cartilage. Collagens, matrix-modifying enzymes, and provisional matrix non-collagenous proteins were expressed at higher levels in the articular cartilage of newborn foals. Those genes with increased mRNA abundance in adult chondrocytes included leucine-rich small proteoglycans, matrix assembly, and cartilage maintenance proteins.ConclusionDifferential expression of genes encoding matrix proteins and matrix-modifying enzymes between neonates and adults reflect a cellular maturation process in articular chondrocytes. Up-regulated transcripts in neonatal cartilage are consistent with growth and expansion of the articular surface. Expression patterns in mature articular cartilage indicate a transition from growth to homeostasis, and tissue function related to withstanding shear and weight-bearing stresses.

Project description:To analyze the genetic and biomolecular mechanisms underlying cartilage repair, an optimized mouse model of osteochondral repair is required. Although several models of articular cartilage injury in mice have recently been established, the articular surface in adult C57Bl/6 mice heals poorly. Since C57Bl/6 mice are the most popular strain of genetically manipulated mice, an articular cartilage repair model using C57Bl/6 mice would be helpful for analysis of the mechanisms of cartilage repair. The purpose of this study was to establish a cartilage repair model in C57Bl/6 mice using immature animals. To achieve this goal, full-thickness injuries were generated in 3-week-old (young), 4-week-old (juvenile), and 8-week-old (adult) C57Bl/6 mice. To investigate the reproducibility and consistency of full-thickness injuries, mice were sacrificed immediately after operation, and cartilage thickness at the patellar groove, depth of the cartilage injury, cross-sectional width, and cross-sectional area were compared among the three age groups. The depth of cartilage injury/cartilage thickness ratio (%depth) and the coefficient of variation (CV) for each parameter were also calculated. At 8 weeks postoperatively, articular cartilage repair was assessed using a histological scoring system. With respect to the reproducibility and consistency of full-thickness injuries, cartilage thickness, depth of cartilage injury, and cross-sectional area were significantly larger in young and juvenile mice than in adult mice, whereas cross-sectional width and %depth were almost equal among the three age groups. CVs of %depths were less than 10% in all groups. With respect to articular cartilage repair, young and juvenile mice showed superior results. In conclusion, we established a novel cartilage repair model in C57Bl/6 mice. This model will be valuable in achieving mechanistic insights into the healing process of the joint surface, as it will facilitate the use of genetically modified mice, which are most commonly developed on a C57Bl/6 background.

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Tenascin-C expression controls the maturation of articular cartilage in mice.

Publications

Tenascin-C expression controls the maturation of articular cartilage in mice.

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