Ascorbate modulation of chondrocyte gene expression is independent of its role in collagen secretion

During development and fracture repair, endochondral bone formation is preceded by an orderly process of chondrocyte hypertrophy and cartilage matrix calcification. Analysis of calcifying versus noncalcifying cartilage has identified several differences in matrix proteins; among these are appearance of a novel collagen, type X, and decreased synthesis of type II collagen, the major component of cartilage matrix. In addition, there is a marked increase in alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme expressed at high levels in all mineralizing tissues. Cultured chondrocytes can be induced to undergo these changes in gene expression and to produce calcified matrix by exposure to ascorbic acid. The mechanism by which ascorbate produces these changes has been examined by analyzing the effect of the vitamin on prehypertrophic chick embryo sternal chondrocytes. Nuclear run-on assays demonstrated that ascorbate alters mRNA levels in chondrocytes by changing the transcription rates. The fact that marked changes in mRNA levels require 1-2 days of ascorbate exposure suggested that the effect of this vitamin on gene transcription may be secondary to other, earlier ascorbate-induced effects. Since cells cultured with ascorbate produce a collagen-enriched matrix, we examined the hypothesis that transcriptional changes were secondary to altered cell-matrix interactions. Chondrocytes were cultured after attachment to tissue culture plastic, in suspension, or on plates coated with collagen type I. Comparison of alkaline phosphatase activity with and without ascorbate addition demonstrated that under all of these conditions, induction of enzyme was dependent on the presence of ascorbate. When plates containing ascorbate-conditioned chondrocyte matrix were used as substrate for naive chondrocytes, the cells continued to require ascorbate for induction of high levels of alkaline phosphatase and type X collagen mRNA. Addition of the hydroxylation inhibitor, 3,4-dehydroproline, caused marked inhibition of collagen secretion as well as accumulation of underhydroxylated collagens within the cells. However, even in the presence of this inhibitor ascorbate was effective in inducing elevated alkaline phosphatase and type X collagen. These results indicate that the ability of ascorbate to induce chondrocyte hypertrophy does not depend on production of a collagen-rich matrix.