Microarray analysis of slipped capital femoral epiphysis growth plates

Microarray technology has been used to analyze gene expression in patients with and without slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE).

Proximal femoral physis core biopsies from two patients with SCFE were compared with two control specimens from age-matched patients without SCFE. Extracted RNA from frozen ground samples was subjected to microarray analysis with data tests for statistical significance between SCFE and control tissues.

Compared to controls, SCFE samples demonstrated significant up-regulation in gene expression pathways involving physiological defense and inflammatory responses and significant down-regulation in the regulation of cellular physiologic processes, cellular metabolic pathways, and skeletal development pathways including expression of aggrecan and type II collagen, genes affecting physeal structure and integrity.

Up-regulation of inflammatory and immune response pathways in SCFE compared to controls relates to physeal mechanical displacement in SCFE. Globalized down-regulation of several other pathways suggests growth plate weakening. These novel microarray findings further define SCFE etiology.