Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026

Laser Capture Microdissection of Mouse Embryonic Cartilage and Bone for Gene Expression Analysis
Published on: December 18, 2019
Trefoil factor family protein 3 (TFF3) is present in cartilage during endochondral ossification in the developing
Nikola Bijelić1, Tatjana Belovari, Mirela Baus Lončar
1Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia. nbijelic@mefos.hr
Abstract:
Trefoil factor family protein 3 (TFF3) is found in cartilage affected by osteoarthritis and septic arthritis, whereas no TFF3 presence is observed in healthy cartilage. During endochondral ossification, bone tissue replaces degenerating cartilage. There is no data about the role of TFF3 in this process. Our aim was to study the localization of TFF3 in cartilage during endochondral ossification in the mouse fetus. CD1 mouse fetuses, days 14-17, were isolated, fixed, and paraffin embedded. Fetuses were cut into 6μm sections, and processed for immunohistochemical staining with affinity purified polyclonal rabbit anti-TFF3 antibody. TFF3 was present in cartilage chondrocytes undergoing endochondral ossification, particularly in zone of proliferation, hypertrophy and calcification as well as in zone of cartilage degeneration during the monitored fetal period. Resting cartilage showed no presence of TFF3, while during endochondral ossification TFF3 localization showed an analogous pattern to that reported in cartilage affected by osteoarthritis and septic arthritis. Our data indicate that the role of TFF3 in these pathological conditions is similar to its role in the physiological process of endochondral ossification.
Related Concept Videos
Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification
Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue
Bone Formation by Intramembranous Ossification
The process begins when mesenchymal cells in the embryonic skeleton gather together and differentiate into osteogenic cells, which then develop into...
Determination
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
Transcription Factors

