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Journal of anatomy2014; 225(5); 548-568; doi: 10.1111/joa.12232

Cell and matrix modulation in prenatal and postnatal equine growth cartilage, zones of Ranvier and articular cartilage.

Abstract: Formation of synovial joints includes phenotypic changes of the chondrocytes and the organisation of their extracellular matrix is regulated by different factors and signalling pathways. Increased knowledge of the normal processes involved in joint development may be used to identify similar regulatory mechanisms during pathological conditions in the joint. Samples of the distal radius were collected from prenatal and postnatal equine growth plates, zones of Ranvier and articular cartilage with the aim of identifying Notch signalling components and cells with stem cell-like characteristics and to follow changes in matrix protein localisation during joint development. The localisation of the Notch signalling components Notch1, Delta4, Hes1, Notch dysregulating protein epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (EGFL7), the stem cell-indicating factor Stro-1 and the matrix molecules cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), fibromodulin, matrilin-1 and chondroadherin were studied using immunohistochemistry. Spatial changes in protein localisations during cartilage maturation were observed for Notch signalling components and matrix molecules, with increased pericellular localisation indicating new synthesis and involvement of these proteins in the formation of the joint. However, it was not possible to characterise the phenotype of the chondrocytes based on their surrounding matrix during normal chondrogenesis. The zone of Ranvier was identified in all horses and characterised as an area expressing Stro-1, EGFL7 and chondroadherin with an absence of COMP and Notch signalling. Stro-1 was also present in cells close to the perichondrium, in the articular cartilage and in the fetal resting zone, indicating stem cell-like characteristics of these cells. The presence of stem cells in the articular cartilage will be of importance for the repair of damaged cartilage. Perivascular chondrocytes and hypertrophic cells of the cartilage bone interface displayed positive staining for EGFL7, which is a novel finding and suggests a role of EGFL7 in the vascular infiltration of growth cartilage.
© 2014 Anatomical Society.
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Publication Date: 2014-09-01 PubMed ID: 25175365PubMed Central: PMC4292756DOI: 10.1111/joa.12232Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study explores the formation of synovial joints, focusing on the changes in chondrocytes (cartilage cells) and their extracellular matrix. The aim was to determine the role of specific factors and proteins during this development process in prenatal and postnatal equine growth plates, zones of Ranvier, and articular cartilage.

Research Methodology

  • The study samples were collected from the distal radius of horse’s joint. These samples represent different stages of joint formation from the prenatal and postnatal periods.
  • The researchers were particularly interested in the role of Notch signalling, which is involved in direct cell-to-cell communication & the regulation of cell differentiation and development, as well as the existence of cells exhibiting stem cell-like properties.
  • Immunohistochemistry was used to study the localisation of Notch signalling components (Notch1, Delta4, Hes1, EGFL7) and extracellular matrix molecules (COMP, fibromodulin, matrilin-1, chondroadherin).

Key Findings

  • The study found changes in protein localisation during cartilage maturation, suggesting an active role in joint development. However, these changes did not help to characterise the chondrocyte phenotype based on the surrounding matrix during normal chondrogenesis.
  • The researchers identified the zones of Ranvier in all horses, characterising them as areas expressing unique combinations of Notch signalling components and matrix molecules.
  • The study discovered the presence of Stro-1, a marker associated with mesenchymal stem cells, in perichondrium cells, articular cartilage and in the fetal resting zone, indicating stem cell-like characteristics of these cells. This presence could be crucial for cartilage repair.
  • Another key finding was EGFL7’s presence at the cartilage bone interface. EGFL7, known as epidermal growth factor-like domain 7, was previously not known to be present in these areas. This suggests its probable role in vascular infiltration of growth cartilage.

Implications and Relevance

  • This research adds to the understanding of the normal processes involved in joint development, including crucial protein signalling and the presence and role of stem cells.
  • It can inform further research into pathological conditions in joints, potentially informing treatment approaches for degenerative joint diseases.
  • The detection of stem cell-like characteristics in articular cartilage cells also suggests possible routes for therapeutic interventions, such as cartilage repair and regrowth in damaged joints.
  • The novel finding of EGFL7 in chondrocytes opens up new areas of investigation concerning the role of this protein in bone and cartilage development.

Cite This Article

APA
Löfgren M, Ekman S, Svala E, Lindahl A, Ley C, Skiöldebrand E. (2014). Cell and matrix modulation in prenatal and postnatal equine growth cartilage, zones of Ranvier and articular cartilage. J Anat, 225(5), 548-568. https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.12232

Publication

Journal of anatomy
ISSN: 1469-7580
NlmUniqueID: 0137162
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 225
Issue: 5
Pages: 548-568

Researcher Affiliations

Löfgren, Maria
  • Section of Pathology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Ekman, Stina
    Svala, Emilia
      Lindahl, Anders
        Ley, Cecilia
          Skiöldebrand, Eva

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Biomarkers / metabolism
            • Cartilage, Articular / cytology
            • Cartilage, Articular / growth & development
            • Cell Differentiation
            • Chondrocytes / cytology
            • Chondrocytes / physiology
            • Growth Plate / cytology
            • Homeostasis
            • Horses / growth & development

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            Citations

            This article has been cited 2 times.
            1. Bundgaard L, Årman F, Åhrman E, Walters M, Auf dem Keller U, Malmström J, Jacobsen S. An Equine Protein Atlas Highlights Synovial Fluid Proteome Dynamics during Experimentally LPS-Induced Arthritis. J Proteome Res 2024 Nov 1;23(11):4849-4863.
              doi: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.4c00125pubmed: 39395021google scholar: lookup
            2. Zhang W, Bai J, Li L, Zhang Y, Hang K, Wang Y, Wang Z, Ye C, Xue D. EGFL7 Secreted By Human Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes Osteoblast Differentiation Partly Via Downregulation Of Notch1-Hes1 Signaling Pathway. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023 May;19(4):968-982.
              doi: 10.1007/s12015-022-10503-zpubmed: 36609902google scholar: lookup
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