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Thrombospondin in ligament, meniscus and intervertebral disc
1Department of Musculoskeletal Research, Cleveland Clinic Foundation Research Institute, OH 44195-5254.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|November 14, 1991
Summary
Thrombospondin is present in knee joint tissues like the ligament and meniscus. Ligament fibroblasts and meniscal cells also synthesize this important matrix protein.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Thrombospondin is a protein found in connective tissues.
- Its presence and synthesis in specific joint tissues are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and synthesis of thrombospondin in human ligament, meniscus, and nucleus pulposus.
- To identify the cells responsible for thrombospondin production in these tissues.
Main Methods:
- Western blot analysis of tissue extracts using anti-human thrombospondin antibody.
- Metabolic labeling of cultured ligament fibroblasts and meniscal fibrochondrocytes.
- Immunoprecipitation followed by SDS-PAGE and fluorography.
Main Results:
- Thrombospondin was detected in extracts of ligament, meniscus, and nucleus pulposus.
- Ligament fibroblasts and meniscal fibrochondrocytes synthesized thrombospondin in vitro.
- Analysis confirmed the molecular weight of thrombospondin under various conditions.
Conclusions:
- Thrombospondin is a matrix component of ligament, knee joint meniscus, and nucleus pulposus.
- Ligament fibroblasts and meniscal fibrochondrocytes are key synthesizers of thrombospondin.
- This finding contributes to understanding the extracellular matrix composition in the knee joint.