Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026
09:20
Laser Capture Microdissection of Mouse Embryonic Cartilage and Bone for Gene Expression Analysis
Published on: December 18, 2019
Differential gene expression associated with postnatal equine articular cartilage maturation
Michael J Mienaltowski1, Liping Huang, Arnold J Stromberg
1University of Kentucky, Department of Veterinary Science, M.H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Lexington, KY 40546-0099, USA. M.Mski@uky.edu
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
|November 7, 2008
Summary
Articular cartilage in horses shows significant gene expression changes from foal to adult, reflecting maturation from growth to homeostasis. This study used microarrays to identify key differences in matrix protein development.
Area of Science:
- Equine genetics
- Cartilage biology
- Developmental biology
Background:
- Articular cartilage matures from neonate to adult, altering matrix proteins and chondrocyte morphology.
- Exercise influences equine cartilage development during early postnatal life.
- Transcriptional profiling assesses gene expression changes during postnatal growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate changes in articular chondrocyte gene expression during postnatal growth and development in horses.
- To compare gene expression profiles between neonatal and adult equine articular cartilage.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of total RNA from neonatal and adult horse articular cartilage.
- Utilized a 9,367-element equine-specific cDNA microarray with dye-swap design.
- Validated microarray findings for key genes (e.g., COL2A1, COMP) using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).
Main Results:
- 56 probe sets (45 genes) were upregulated in neonatal cartilage compared to adult.
- 586 probe sets (499 genes) were upregulated in adult cartilage compared to neonatal.
- Neonatal cartilage showed higher expression of collagens and matrix-modifying enzymes; adult cartilage showed higher expression of proteoglycans and maintenance proteins.
Conclusions:
- Differential gene expression reflects the cellular maturation of articular chondrocytes from neonate to adult.
- Neonatal gene expression supports articular surface growth, while adult patterns indicate a shift to homeostasis and stress resistance.
- These findings highlight the dynamic molecular changes in equine articular cartilage during development.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue
Chondrocytes form a temporary cartilaginous model by dividing and secreting a thick gel-like extracellular matrix. Once the chondrocytes undergo programmed cell death, osteoblasts enter the site of the cartilaginous model. The process of replacing the temporary cartilaginous model with bone in an ordered manner is called endochondral ossification. In endochondral ossification, not all of the cartilage is replaced by bone tissue. Some cartilage that performs a protective and supportive function...
01:24Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification
Bone formation, or ossification, begins around the sixth to seventh week of embryonic development. Most bones develop from a cartilaginous template through the process of endochondral ossification. Cartilage formation begins when clusters of mesenchymal cells differentiate into chondrocytes. These chondrocytes proliferate rapidly and secrete an extracellular matrix that becomes encased in a membrane called the perichondrium. The resulting cartilage model provides a template that resembles the...
01:23Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps
The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the addition of a...