Comparative study of neutral proteoglycanase activity by growth plate zone

The degradation of proteoglycans has been considered an essential step in the process of endochondral ossification. Neutral proteases, described in the growth plate, have been implicated in this process. If these neutral proteases are important in the endochondral process, their level of activity should be highest at the point where calcification is occurring. This study measures neutral protease activity with a quantitative viscometric assay throughout all zones of the bovine growth plate. The results demonstrate that the enzyme is present throughout all zones of the growth plate. However, enzyme levels in the lower hypertrophic and calcifying zones are significantly higher than anywhere else. The enzymes came from the cartilage cells and not from the invading vasculature. This implied proof of the role of neutral proteases in the endochondral process implies that by inhibiting this class of enzymes, one should be able to block endochondral ossification.