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Published on: December 28, 2016
Doublecortin is expressed in articular chondrocytes
Yi Zhang1, James A Ryan, Paul E Di Cesare
1Lawrence Ellison Center for Tissue Regeneration and Repair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, 4635 Second Avenue, Room 2000, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|September 28, 2007
Summary
Doublecortin (DCX) marks articular chondrocytes, distinguishing them from other cartilage cells. This finding aids in assessing the quality of engineered and regenerated cartilage for clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Cartilage Biology
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Articular cartilage, embryonic cartilaginous anlagen, and growth plates are all hyaline cartilages.
- Distinguishing between different types of hyaline cartilage is crucial for understanding joint development and regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of doublecortin (DCX) in various cartilage types and related joint tissues.
- To determine if DCX can serve as a specific marker for articular chondrocytes.
- To evaluate the utility of DCX in assessing the quality of engineered or regenerated cartilage.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of DCX expression in articular cartilage, embryonic anlagen, growth plates, joint interzone, synovium, and cruciate ligaments.
- Assessment of DCX expression in in vitro cultured chondrocytes (ATDC5, C3H10T1/2) and in vivo regenerated cartilage in rabbit knee defects.
Main Results:
- Doublecortin (DCX) was expressed in articular chondrocytes but absent in chondrocytes of cartilaginous anlagen and growth plates.
- DCX expression was observed in chondrogenous layers of the joint interzone, but not the intermediate layer.
- Synovium and cruciate ligaments were DCX-negative.
- DCX-positive chondrocytes were rare in in vitro engineered cartilage but abundant in newly formed hyaline cartilage in rabbit knee defects.
Conclusions:
- Doublecortin (DCX) is a reliable marker for identifying articular chondrocytes.
- DCX expression can differentiate articular cartilage from non-articular cartilage.
- DCX serves as a valuable tool for evaluating the quality and "articular" nature of engineered and regenerated cartilage.
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