Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 7, 2026
09:20
Laser Capture Microdissection of Mouse Embryonic Cartilage and Bone for Gene Expression Analysis
Published on: December 18, 2019
7.5K
CircTspan3 Promotes Cartilage Development Through ANNEXIN A2-Mediated Ferroptosis and Apoptosis Inhibition and
Yiming Pan1, Fengmei Zhang1, Jiayan Zhong1
1Department of Orthopedics, State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|January 5, 2026
Summary
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) regulate cartilage development. This study identifies circTspan3 as crucial for chondrocyte function and growth, offering potential for treating skeletal disorders.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are stable, non-coding RNAs involved in various cellular functions.
- Cartilage development and homeostasis are critical for skeletal health.
- Dysregulation of cartilage development can lead to skeletal disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel circRNAs regulating cartilage development.
- To elucidate the role of circTspan3 in chondrogenesis and skeletal homeostasis.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of circTspan3 in cartilage repair.
Main Methods:
- Identification and characterization of circTspan3.
- Analysis of circTspan3 expression in X-box binding protein 1 (Xbp1) conditional knockout (cKO) mice.
- Investigating the regulatory mechanism of circTspan3 by XBP1 spliced (XBP1s).
- Assessing the function of circTspan3 in chondrocytes and in vivo cartilage repair models.
Main Results:
- circTspan3, derived from Tspan3 gene exons 2-6, is identified as a key regulator of cartilage development.
- circTspan3 expression is downregulated in chondrodysplasia models and correlates with anabolic markers.
- XBP1s transcriptionally upregulates circTspan3, promoting chondrocyte anabolism and suppressing apoptosis and ferroptosis.
- Phosphorylated ANNEXIN A2 (ANXA2) facilitates circTspan3 translocation and exosomal packaging for paracrine signaling.
- Exosomal circTspan3 promotes growth-plate expansion and repairs cartilage defects in vivo.
Conclusions:
- circTspan3 is a critical modulator of growth-plate homeostasis.
- circTspan3 plays a significant role in promoting chondrocyte anabolic activity and survival.
- circTspan3, delivered via exosomes, demonstrates therapeutic potential for cartilage repair and skeletal disorders.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Cadherins in Tissue Organization
3.8K
The cadherins are a superfamily of cell adhesion molecules comprising over 180 variants, with specific tissues expressing a particular combination of cadherin types. Cadherins generally exhibit homophilic binding; i.e., cadherins on one cell bind to cadherins of the same or closely related type on another cell. Thus, cells of the same type have a specific affinity to bind to each other and sort themselves into clusters to form tissues.
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
3.8K
01:27Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue
4.0K
Chondrocytes form a temporary cartilaginous model by dividing and secreting a thick gel-like extracellular matrix. Once the chondrocytes undergo programmed cell death, osteoblasts enter the site of the cartilaginous model. The process of replacing the temporary cartilaginous model with bone in an ordered manner is called endochondral ossification. In endochondral ossification, not all of the cartilage is replaced by bone tissue. Some cartilage that performs a protective and supportive function...
4.0K
01:12Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
2.4K
Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
2.4K
01:22Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
2.6K
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.
2.6K
01:16TGF - β Signaling Pathway
10.4K
The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors...
10.4K
01:24Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification
8.1K
Bone formation, or ossification, begins around the sixth to seventh week of embryonic development. Most bones develop from a cartilaginous template through the process of endochondral ossification. Cartilage formation begins when clusters of mesenchymal cells differentiate into chondrocytes. These chondrocytes proliferate rapidly and secrete an extracellular matrix that becomes encased in a membrane called the perichondrium. The resulting cartilage model provides a template that resembles the...
8.1K