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Elevated aggrecan mRNA in early murine osteoarthritis
J D Gaffen1, M T Bayliss, R M Mason
1Department of Biochemistry, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, London, U.K.
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage
|July 1, 1997
Summary
Osteoarthritis (OA) in male STR/ort mice shows elevated aggrecan gene transcription in tibial cartilage. This indicates increased aggrecan production is an early feature of OA development in this model.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Male STR/ort mice spontaneously develop osteoarthritis (OA) in tibial articular cartilage.
- Early histological lesions of OA appear between 10-20 weeks of age.
- Previous studies indicated higher aggrecan levels in OA cartilage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate aggrecan gene transcription levels in early OA.
- To compare aggrecan gene expression in STR/ort mice with control CBA mice.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used.
- Tibial cartilage from 20-week-old STR/ort and CBA mice was analyzed.
- Aggrecan gene transcription was quantified relative to cartilage weight.
Main Results:
- Aggrecan gene transcription was significantly elevated in STR/ort mice.
- Aggrecan cDNA levels were 2.8-fold higher in medial and 4.6-fold higher in lateral tibial plateau.
- Increased transcription was not linked to differences in cartilage cellularity.
Conclusions:
- Aggrecan gene transcription is elevated in the early stages of osteoarthritis in STR/ort mice.
- This suggests increased aggrecan synthesis is an early molecular event in OA pathogenesis.
- Findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of spontaneous OA development.