Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 4, 2026
09:58
A 3D System for Culturing Human Articular Chondrocytes in Synovial Fluid
Published on: January 31, 2012
21.3K
DEL1 protects against chondrocyte apoptosis through integrin binding.
Zhen Wang1, Tatiana Boyko1, Misha C Tran1
1Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.
The Journal of Surgical Research
|October 4, 2018
Summary
Developmental endothelial locus-1 (DEL1) protects cartilage cells from death, including during anoikis. This protective effect is mediated by integrin αVβ3, offering a potential therapeutic target for osteoarthritis.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Osteoarthritis (OA) is a widespread degenerative joint disease impacting millions globally.
- Current OA treatments offer symptomatic relief; halting or reversing cartilage damage requires novel approaches.
- Deletion of developmental endothelial locus-1 (DEL1) exacerbates OA severity in mouse models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the intracellular mechanisms by which DEL1 protects chondrocytes from apoptosis and anoikis.
- To test the hypothesis that DEL1 functions via integrin signaling pathways.
Main Methods:
- Human chondrocytes were treated with apoptosis inducers and DEL1 or control.
- Integrin binding inhibitors were used to assess DEL1's activity.
- Downstream signaling pathways were analyzed using immunoblotting.
Main Results:
- DEL1 significantly enhanced chondrocyte survival against various apoptosis inducers, including anoikis.
- DEL1's protective effects were abrogated by RGD peptides and anti-integrin αVβ3 antibodies.
- DEL1 treatment activated ERK and AKT pathways in attached cells, and AKT in anoikis conditions.
Conclusions:
- DEL1 confers chondrocyte protection against apoptosis and anoikis through integrin αVβ3 signaling.
- Integrin αVβ3 represents a promising therapeutic target for preventing cartilage degeneration in OA.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Integrins
5.4K
Animal and protozoan cells do not have cell walls to help maintain shape and provide structural stability. Instead, these eukaryotic cells secrete a sticky mass of carbohydrates and proteins into the spaces between adjacent cells. This network of proteins and molecules is called an extracellular matrix or ECM.
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...
5.4K
01:15Activation of Integrins
5.1K
Integrins bind ligands and transmit information from outside the cell to inside or vice-versa through an "outside-in signaling" or "inside-out signaling."
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding...
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding...
5.1K
01:30Apoptosis
15.1K
Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size...
15.1K
02:18The Equilibrium Binding Constant and Binding Strength
15.1K
The equilibrium binding constant (Kb) quantifies the strength of a protein-ligand interaction. Kb can be calculated as follows when the reaction is at equilibrium:
15.1K
02:31Protection of Alcohols
8.1K
This lesson delves into the concept of protection and deprotection of a functional group fundamental to synthetic organic chemistry. These phenomena are explained in the context of aliphatic and aromatic alcohols.
Protection
It defines a protecting group as the masking agent to make the more reactive species inert to a given set of conditions. This concept is depicted via the illustration of liquid flow through different outlets in an assembly of pipes. The analogy helps to understand the role...
Protection
It defines a protecting group as the masking agent to make the more reactive species inert to a given set of conditions. This concept is depicted via the illustration of liquid flow through different outlets in an assembly of pipes. The analogy helps to understand the role...
8.1K
01:16Zones of Protection
808
In power systems, the entire setup is divided into protective zones to isolate faults and protect the rest of the network. These zones include generators, transformers, buses, transmission lines, distribution lines, and motors. Each zone can be visualized as a separate room in a house, with each room protected by its own circuit breaker.
Protective zones are defined by closed dashed lines, containing one or more components. A key characteristic of these zones is the strategic placement of...
Protective zones are defined by closed dashed lines, containing one or more components. A key characteristic of these zones is the strategic placement of...
808