Changes in molecular expression of aggrecan and collagen types I, II, and X, insulin-like growth factor-I, and transforming growth factor-beta1 in articular cartilage obtained from horses with naturally acquired osteochondrosis.
Abstract: To determine molecular changes in the expression of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in horses with osteochondrosis, and to characterize expression of matrix aggrecan and collagen types I, II, and X in articular cartilage of affected joints. Methods: Articular cartilage from affected stifle or shoulder joints of 11 horses with naturally acquired osteochondrosis and corresponding joints of 11 clinically normal horses. Methods: Harvested specimens were snap frozen in liquid nitrogen, and total RNA was isolated. Specimens were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for histologic examinations. Expression of matrix molecules was assessed by analysis of northern blots and in situ hybridization, using equine-specific cDNA probes and riboprobes, respectively. Expression of IGF-I and TGF-beta1 was assessed by use of noncompetitive quantitative polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemical analysis. Results: Cartilage obtained from osteochondrosis lesions had significantly greater expression of IGF-I, compared with normal cartilage. Expression of TGF-beta1 and collagen type I were higher, but not significantly so, in affected tissues. Expression of aggrecan or collagen types II and X did not differ between affected and clinically normal cartilage. Conclusions: Increased expression of growth factors and collagen type I was found in cartilage from osteochondrosis lesions. However, this probably reflects a healing response to injured tissue rather than a primary alteration. Therefore, methods aimed at altering concentrations of growth factors in cartilage of growing horses would be unlikely to alter the incidence or progress of the disease.
Publication Date: 2001-07-17 PubMed ID: 11453485DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2001.62.1088Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research investigates the molecular changes in insulin-like growth factor-I and transforming growth factor-beta1 in horses diagnosed with osteochondrosis. It also examines the expression of matrix aggrecan and collagen types I, II, and X in the articular cartilage from the affected joints.
Methods
- The study included 11 horses with naturally acquired osteochondrosis. Articular cartilage from their affected stifle or shoulder joints was assessed against articular cartilage taken from the corresponding joints of 11 clinically normal horses.
- The collected specimens were instantly frozen using liquid nitrogen, so that total RNA could be isolated. The specimens were then fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for subsequent histologic examinations.
- The research used northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization, with equine-specific cDNA probes and riboprobes respectively, to measure the expression of matrix molecules such as aggrecan and collagen types I, II, and X.
- Noncompetitive quantitative polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemical analysis were used to evaluate the expression of IGF-I and TGF-beta1.
Results
- The study found that cartilage taken from osteochondrosis lesions had a significantly higher expression of IGF-I compared to normal cartilage. Though elevated, the expressions of TGF-beta1 and collagen type I were not significantly higher in affected tissues.
- However, the expressions of aggrecan and collagen types II and X did not significantly differ between the affected and clinically normal cartilage.
Conclusions
- Increased expressions of growth factors and collagen type I were noted in the cartilage from osteochondrosis lesions. The study suggests this increased expression is likely to be a reactive healing response to the injured tissue, rather than a primary alteration.
- As a result, the researchers conclude that altering the concentrations of growth factors in the cartilage of growing horses would probably not change the incidence or progression of the disease.
Cite This Article
APA
Semevolos SA, Nixon AJ, Brower-Toland BD.
(2001).
Changes in molecular expression of aggrecan and collagen types I, II, and X, insulin-like growth factor-I, and transforming growth factor-beta1 in articular cartilage obtained from horses with naturally acquired osteochondrosis.
Am J Vet Res, 62(7), 1088-1094.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.2001.62.1088 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Aggrecans
- Animals
- Blotting, Northern / veterinary
- Cartilage, Articular / metabolism
- Cartilage, Articular / pathology
- Cartilage, Articular / physiology
- Collagen / biosynthesis
- Collagen / genetics
- Extracellular Matrix Proteins
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
- Horse Diseases / genetics
- Horse Diseases / metabolism
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Immunohistochemistry / veterinary
- In Situ Hybridization / veterinary
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / biosynthesis
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / genetics
- Joint Diseases / genetics
- Joint Diseases / metabolism
- Joint Diseases / pathology
- Joint Diseases / veterinary
- Lectins, C-Type
- Osteochondritis / genetics
- Osteochondritis / metabolism
- Osteochondritis / pathology
- Osteochondritis / veterinary
- Proteoglycans / biosynthesis
- Proteoglycans / genetics
- RNA / chemistry
- RNA / genetics
- RNA / isolation & purification
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
- Transforming Growth Factor beta / biosynthesis
- Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics
- Transforming Growth Factor beta1
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Pagani S, Maglio M, Sicuro L, Fini M, Giavaresi G, Brogini S. RNA Extraction from Cartilage: Issues, Methods, Tips. Int J Mol Sci 2023 Jan 20;24(3).
- Baker ME, Lee S, Clinton M, Hackl M, Castanheira C, Peffers MJ, Taylor SE. Investigation of MicroRNA Biomarkers in Equine Distal Interphalangeal Joint Osteoarthritis. Int J Mol Sci 2022 Dec 8;23(24).
- De Angelis E, Saleri R, Martelli P, Elviri L, Bianchera A, Bergonzi C, Pirola M, Romeo R, Andrani M, Cavalli V, Conti V, Bettini R, Passeri B, Ravanetti F, Borghetti P. Cultured Horse Articular Chondrocytes in 3D-Printed Chitosan Scaffold With Hyaluronic Acid and Platelet Lysate. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:671776.
- Kemper AM, Drnevich J, McCue ME, McCoy AM. Differential Gene Expression in Articular Cartilage and Subchondral Bone of Neonatal and Adult Horses. Genes (Basel) 2019 Sep 25;10(10).
- Kornicka K, Al Naem M, Röcken M, Zmiertka M, Marycz K. Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)-Derived Chondrocytes Display Increased Senescence, Oxidative Stress, Chaperone-Mediated Autophagy and, in Co-Culture with Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (ASCs), Enhanced Expression of MMP-13. J Clin Med 2019 Mar 8;8(3).
- Hellings IR, Ekman S, Hultenby K, Dolvik NI, Olstad K. Discontinuities in the endothelium of epiphyseal cartilage canals and relevance to joint disease in foals. J Anat 2016 Jan;228(1):162-75.
- Mendoza L, Piquemal D, Lejeune JP, Vander Heyden L, Noguier F, Bruno R, Sandersen C, Serteyn D. Age-dependent expression of osteochondrosis-related genes in equine leukocytes. Vet Rec Open 2015;2(1):e000058.
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- Verwilghen DR, Vanderheyden L, Franck T, Busoni V, Enzerink E, Gangl M, Lejeune JP, van Galen G, Grulke S, Serteyn D. Variations of plasmatic concentrations of Insulin-like Growth Factor-I in post-pubescent horses affected with developmental osteochondral lesions. Vet Res Commun 2009 Oct;33(7):701-9.
- Lewczuk D, Wypchło M, Hecold M, Buczkowska R, Korwin-Kossakowska A. Connections Between Gene Polymorphism and Fetlock and Hock Measurements in Polish Sport Horses. Int J Mol Sci 2025 Oct 2;26(19).
- Li S, Wang R, Huang L, Jiang Y, Xing F, Duan W, Cen Y, Zhang Z, Xie H. Promotion of diced cartilage survival and regeneration with grafting of small intestinal submucosa loaded with urine-derived stem cells. Cell Prolif 2024 Feb;57(2):e13542.
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