Project description:OBJECTIVES: Abnormal chondrocyte gene expression promotes osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis. RNA-sequencing revealed that circadian rhythm pathway and expression of core clock protein cryptochrome 2 (Cry2) are dysregulated in human OA cartilage. Here we determined expression patterns and function Cry1 and Cry2. METHODS: Cry mRNA and protein expression was analyzed in normal and OA human and mouse cartilage. Mice with deletion of Cry1 or Cry2 were analyzed for severity of experimental OA and to determine genes and pathways that are regulated by CRY. RESULTS: In human OA cartilage, CRY2 but not CRY1 staining and mRNA expression was significantly decreased. Cry2 was also suppressed in mice with surgical or aging-related OA. Cry2 KO but not Cry1 KO mice with experimental OA showed significantly increased severity of histopathological changes in cartilage, subchondral bone and synovium. In OA chondrocytes, the levels of Cry1 and Cry2 and the amplitude of circadian fluctuation were significantly lower. RNA-seq on knee articular cartilage of wild-type and Cry2 KO mice identified 53 differentially expressed genes, including known CRY2 target circadian genes Nr1d1, Nr1d2, Dbp and Tef. Pathway analysis indicated that circadian rhythm and extracellular matrix remodeling were dysregulated in Cry2 KO mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results show an active role of the circadian clock in general, and of CRY2 in particular, in maintaining ECM homeostasis in cartilage. This cell autonomous network of circadian rhythm genes is disrupted in OA chondrocytes. Targeting CRY2 has potential to correct abnormal gene expression patterns and reduce the severity of OA.
Project description:The aim of the current study was to identify molecular markers for articular cartilage that can be used for the quality control of tissue engineered cartilage. Therefore a genom-wide expression analysis was performed using RNA isolated from articular and growth plate cartilage, both extracted from the knee joints of minipigs. Keywords: Native material or primary cells isolated from articular cartilage and growth plate cartilage Articular and growth plate cartilage were taken for RNA extraction and hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays. Furthermore chondrocytes from each type of cartilage were isolated and cell culture was started and terminated at day 10 or day 20. Total RNA from cultivated cells was extracted, and hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays was performed.
Project description:Mucolipidosis type III is a rare disease caused by mutations in the GNPTG gene, encoding the gamma-subunit of GlcNAc-1-phosphotransferase. Since osteoarthritis and joint stiffness are typical symptoms of the disease, we aimed to investigate the role of the gamma-subunit on cartilage homeostasis. We used microarray analysis to compare the global gene expression in the articular cartilage of Gnptg-KO and wild-type mice.
Project description:The aim of the current study was to identify molecular markers for articular cartilage that can be used for the quality control of tissue engineered cartilage. Therefore a genom-wide expression analysis was performed using RNA isolated from articular and growth plate cartilage, both extracted from the knee joints of minipigs. Keywords: Native material or primary cells isolated from articular cartilage and growth plate cartilage
Project description:Chondrocyte gene expression was analyzed to study mechanisms involved in the structural and functional adaptation of articular cartilage during postnatal maturation. Transcriptional profiling was used to compare articular chondrocytes between four neonatal and four adult horses. Expressional differences featured matrix proteins and matrix-modifying enzymes reflecting the transition from cartilage growth to cartilage homeostasis. Keywords: articular cartilage, maturation, horse, cDNA microarray
Project description:Articular cartilage is deprived of blood vessels and nerves, and the only cells residing in this tissue are chondrocytes. The molecular properties of the articular cartilage and the architecture of the extracellular matrix demonstrate a complex structure that differentiates on the depth of tissue. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease, the most common form of arthritis, affecting the whole joint. It is associated with ageing and affects the joints that have been continually stressed throughout life including the knees, hips, fingers, and lower spine region. OA is a multifactorial condition of joint characterised by articular cartilage loss, subchondral bone sclerosis, and inflammation leading to progressive joint degradation, structural alterations, loss of mobility and pain. Articular cartilage biology is well studied with a focus on musculoskeletal diseases and cartilage development. However, there are relatively few studies focusing on zonal changes in the cartilage during osteoarthritis.
Project description:Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a promising resource for allogeneic cartilage transplantation to treat articular cartilage defects that do not heal spontaneously and often progress to debilitating conditions, such as osteoarthritis. However, to the best of our knowledge, allogeneic cartilage transplantation into primate models has never been assessed. Here, we show that allogeneic iPSC-derived cartilage organoids survive and integrate as well as function as articular cartilage in a primate model of chondral defects in the knee joints. Histological analysis revealed that allogeneic iPSC-derived cartilage organoids in chondral defects elicited no immune reaction and directly contributed to the tissue repair for at least four months. iPSC-derived cartilage organoids integrated with the host native articular cartilage and prevented degeneration of the surrounding cartilage. Single-cell RNA-sequence analysis indicated that iPSC-derived cartilage organoids differentiated after transplantation, acquiring expression of PRG4 that is crucial for joint lubrication. Pathway analysis suggested the involvement of SIK3 inactivation, verified through molecular experiments. Our study outcomes suggest that allogeneic transplantation of iPSC-derived cartilage organoids may be clinically applicable for the treatment of patients with chondral defects of the articular cartilage.