Articular cartilage vesicles contain RNA

Small membrane-bound extracellular organelles known as articular cartilage matrix vesicles (ACVs) participate in pathologic mineralization in osteoarthritic articular cartilage. ACVs are also present in normal cartilage, although they have no known functions other than mineralization. Recently, RNA was identified in extracellular vesicles derived from mast cells, suggesting that such vesicles might carry coding information from cell to cell. We found that ACVs from normal porcine and human articular cartilage and primary chondrocyte conditioned media contained 1 μg RNA/80 μg ACV protein. No DNA could be detected. RT-PCR of ACV RNA demonstrated the presence of full length mRNAs for factor XIIIA, type II transglutaminase, collagen II, aggrecan, ANKH and GAPDH. RNA in intact ACVs was resistant to RNase, despite the fact that ACV preparations contained measurable levels of active RNases. Significantly, radiolabeled RNA in ACVs could be transferred to unlabeled chondrocytes by co-incubation and produced changes in levels of chondrocyte enzymes and proteins. The demonstration that ACVs contain mRNAs suggests that they may function to shuttle genetic information between articular cells and indicate novel functions for these structures in articular cartilage.     

Enhanced<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> chondrogenic differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells

Current approaches have focused on deriving ESCs differentiation into chondrocytes from a cell source of spontaneously formed intact mesoderm in EB formation, resulting in limited yield. Our study aimed at upregulating chondrogenic differentiation of murine ESCs by enhancing mesoderm formation. Specifically, culture of mESCs with conditioned medium from a human hepatocarcinoma cell line resulted in a cell population with a gene expression pattern similar to that of primitive streak/nascent mesoderm, including up-regulation of brachyury, goosecoid, nodal, and cripto. From this cell population, reducing the embryoid body formation time resulted in enhancement of chondrogenic differentiation as evidenced by larger Alcian blue-stained cartilage nodules, higher production of sulfated glycosaminoglycan matrix, the presence of well-organised type II collagen and type II collagen, aggrecan and sox-9 gene expression. In conclusion, we present here a new approach to the generation of chondrocytes from mESCs that enhances yields and, thus, could have widespread applications in cartilage tissue engineering.     

Effect of reduced oxygen tension and long-term mechanical stimulation on chondrocyte-polymer constructs

We have investigated the influence of long-term confined dynamic compression and surface motion under low oxygen tension on tissue-engineered cell-scaffold constructs. Porous polyurethane scaffolds (8 mm × 4 mm) were seeded with bovine articular chondrocytes and cultured under normoxic (21% O₂) or hypoxic (5% O₂) conditions for up to 4 weeks. By means of our joint-simulating bioreactor, cyclic axial compression (10–20%; 0.5 Hz) was applied for 1 h daily with a ceramic ball, which simultaneously oscillated over the construct surface (±25°; 0.5 Hz). Culture under reduced oxygen tension resulted in an increase in mRNA levels of type II collagen and aggrecan, whereas the expression of type I collagen was down-regulated at early time points. A higher glycosaminoglycan content was found in hypoxic than in normoxic constructs. Immunohistochemical analysis showed more intense type II and weaker type I collagen staining in hypoxic than in normoxic cultures. Type II collagen gene expression was slightly elevated after short-term loading, whereas aggrecan mRNA levels were not influenced by the applied mechanical stimuli. Of importance, the combination of loading and low oxygen tension resulted in a further down-regulation of collagen type I mRNA expression, contributing to the stabilization of the chondrocytic phenotype. Histological results confirmed the beneficial effect of mechanical loading on chondrocyte matrix synthesis. Thus, mechanical stimulation combined with low oxygen tension is an effective tool for modulating the chondrocytic phenotype and should be considered when chondrocytes or mesenchymal stem cells are cultured and differentiated with the aim of generating cartilage-like tissue in vitro. This work was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (grant no. 3200B0-104083).     

Differential responses of two Stellaria longipes ecotypes to ultraviolet-B radiation and drought stress

Enhanced ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation and water deficit affect plant growth and development. We determined the effects of UVB and drought stress on growth parameters and chemical attributes of two ecotypes (alpine and prairie) of Stellaria longipes under controlled-environment conditions. Clonal ramets of these ecotypes were grown under three UVB levels (0, 5, and 10 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹) and exposed to two watering regimes (well watered and drought stressed) for 21 days. Compared to the alpine, the prairie ecotype was taller, had higher number of nodes, and greater leaf area and specific leaf weight (leaf dry weight: leaf area), which resulted in increased dry matter in this ecotype. Overall, ‘prairie’ was higher in total chlorophyll (Chl), but lower in Chla:b ratio, flavonoids, and ethylene, than ‘alpine’. In both ecotypes, UVB and drought stress reduced growth and dry matter, whereas UVB increased carotenoids and flavonoids. Drought stress decreased ethylene evolution. These characteristics were also determined in plants growing in the field. In the field-growing plants, ‘prairie’ had higher growth and dry matter, but lower Chla:b ratio and flavonoids, than ‘alpine’. The two ecotypes responded differentially to UVB and watering regime, as ‘prairie’ appeared to be more sensitive to UVB and drought stress than ‘alpine’.     

Adult hippocampal cell proliferation is suppressed with estrogen withdrawal after a hormone-simulated pregnancy

Estradiol withdrawal after pregnancy is hypothesized to precipitate depressive symptoms in vulnerable women. A hormone-simulated pregnancy was induced in female rats and the effects of a ‘postpartum’ drop in estradiol on hippocampal cell proliferation were examined. All groups were ovariectomized or given sham surgery prior to treatment. Rats were randomly assigned to ‘postpartum’, ‘postpartum’ + EB (estradiol benzoate), ‘postpartum’ + DPN (diarylpropionitrile; an ERβ agonist), ‘postpartum’ + IMI (imipramine; a tricyclic antidepressant), sham, ovariectomized (OVX), sham + IMI or OVX + IMI groups. All ‘postpartum’ groups received hormone injections (estradiol and progesterone) over 23 days to simulate pregnancy, while IMI groups also received daily imipramine injections. After day 23, ‘postpartum’ rats were withdrawn from the hormone-simulated pregnancy (mimicking the postpartum drop in gonadal hormones), while other ‘postpartum’ treatment groups received daily injections of DPN, EB or IMI. On day 3 ‘postpartum’ all rats were injected with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU; a DNA synthesis marker) and perfused 24 h later to assess cell proliferation and cell death in the dentate gyrus. ‘Postpartum’ hormone withdrawal decreased hippocampal cell proliferation in the ‘postpartum’ and ‘postpartum’ + EB groups only. Chronic imipramine significantly increased hippocampal cell proliferation in sham + IMI, but not OVX + IMI rats suggesting that imipramine's effects to increase hippocampal cell proliferation in female rats is related to reproductive status. Cell death (pyknotic cells) was decreased only in the ‘postpartum’ group. Together, these results suggest an important, though complex, role for gonadal hormones in the cellular changes accompanying this model of postpartum depression.     

Effects of extracellular matrix proteins in chondrocyte‐derived matrices on chondrocyte functions

Loss of cartilaginous phenotype during in vitro expansion culture of chondrocytes is a major barrier to the application of chondrocytes for tissue engineering. In previous study, we showed that dedifferentiation of chondrocytes during the passage culture was delayed by matrices formed by primary chondrocytes (P0‐ECM). In this study, we investigated bovine chondrocyte functions when being cultured on isolated extracellular matrix (ECM) protein‐coated substrata and P0‐ECM. Low chondrocyte attachment was observed on aggrecan‐coated substratum and P0‐ECM. Cell proliferation on aggrecan‐ and type II collagen/aggrecan‐coated substrata and P0‐ECM was lower than that on the other ECM protein (type I collagen and type II collagen)‐coated substrata. When chondrocytes were subcultured on aggrecan‐coated substratum, decline of cartilaginous gene expression was delayed, which was similar to the cells subcultured on P0‐ECM. These results indicate that aggrecan plays an important role in the regulation of chondrocyte functions and P0‐ECM may be a good experimental control for investigating the role of each ECM protein in cartilage ECM. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29:1331–1336, 2013     

IL-10 overexpression differentially affects cartilage matrix gene expression in response to TNF-α in human articular chondrocytes in vitro

Cartilage-specific extracellular matrix synthesis is the prerequisite for chondrocyte survival and cartilage function, but is affected by the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α in arthritis. The aim of the present study was to characterize whether the immunoregulatory cytokine IL-10 might modulate cartilage matrix and cytokine expression in response to TNF-α. Primary human articular chondrocytes were treated with either recombinant IL-10, TNF-α or a combination of both (at 10 ng/mL each) or transduced with an adenoviral vector overexpressing human IL-10 and subsequently stimulated with 10 ng/ml TNF-α for 6 or 24 h. The effects of IL-10 on the cartilage-specific matrix proteins collagen type II, aggrecan, matrix-metalloproteinases (MMP)-3, -13 and pro-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated by real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Transduced chondrocytes overexpressed high levels of IL-10 which significantly up-regulated collagen type II expression. TNF-α suppressed collagen type II and aggrecan, but increased MMP and cytokine expression in chondrocytes compared to the non-stimulated controls. The TNF-α mediated down-regulation of aggrecan expression was significantly antagonized by IL-10 overexpression, whereas the suppression of collagen type II was barely affected. The MMP-13 and IL-1β expression by TNF-α was slightly reduced by IL-10. These results suggest that IL-10 overexpression modulates some catabolic features of TNF-α in chondrocytes.     

Notch signaling is involved in human articular chondrocytes de-differentiation during osteoarthritis

Abstract

Context: During osteoarthritis (OA), chondrocytes undergo de-differentiation, resulting in the acquisition of a fibroblast-like morphology, decreased expression of collagen type II (colII) and aggrecan, and increased expression of collagen type I (colI), metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Notch signaling plays a crucial role during embryogenesis. Several studies showed that Notch is expressed in adulthood. Objective: The aim of our study was to confirm the involvement of Notch signaling in human OA at in vitro and ex vivo levels. Materials and methods: Normal human articular chondrocytes were cultured during four passages either treated or not with a Notch inhibitor: DAPT. Human OA cartilage was cultured with DAPT for five days. Chondrocytes secreted markers and some Notch pathway components were analyzed using Western blotting and qPCR. Results: Passaging chondrocytes induced a decrease in the cartilage markers: colII and aggrecan. DAPT-treated chondrocytes and OA cartilage showed a significant increase in healthy cartilage markers. De-differentiation markers, colI, MMP13 and eNOS, were significantly reduced in DAPT-treated chondrocytes and OA cartilage. Notch1 expression was proportional to colI, MMP13 and eNOS expression and inversely proportional to colII and aggrecan expression in nontreated cultured chondrocytes. Notch ligand: Jagged1 increased in chondrocytes culture. DAPT treatment resulted in reduced Jagged1 expression. Notch target gene HES1 increased during chondrocyte culture and was reduced when treated with DAPT. Conclusion: Targeting Notch signaling during OA might lead to the restitution of the typical chondrocyte phenotype and even to chondrocyte redifferentiation during the pathology.     

Tissue engineering strategies for cartilage generation--micromass and three dimensional cultures using human chondrocytes and a continuous cell line

Utilizing ATDC5 murine chondrogenic cells and human articular chondrocytes, this study sought to develop facile, reproducible three-dimensional models of cartilage generation with the application of tissue engineering strategies, involving biodegradable poly(glycolic acid) scaffolds and rotating wall bioreactors, and micromass pellet cultures. Chondrogenic differentiation, assessed by histology, immunohistochemistry, and gene expression analysis, in ATDC5 and articular chondrocyte pellets was evident by the presence of distinct chondrocytes, expressing Sox-9, aggrecan, and type II collagen, in lacunae embedded in a cartilaginous matrix of type II collagen and proteoglycans. Tissue engineered explants of ATDC5 cells were reminiscent of cartilaginous structures composed of numerous chondrocytes, staining for typical chondrocytic proteins, in lacunae embedded in a matrix of type II collagen and proteoglycans. In comparison, articular chondrocyte explants exhibited areas of Sox-9, aggrecan, and type II collagen-expressing cells growing on fleece, and discrete islands of chondrocytic cells embedded in a cartilaginous matrix.     

Syntheses and structures of some adducts of silver(I) oxyanion salts with some 2-N,O-donor-substituted pyridine bases

Syntheses and room-temperature single crystal X-ray structural characterizations are recorded for a variety of silver(I) oxyanion (perchlorate, nitrate and trifluoroacetate (‘tfa’) (increasing basicity)) adducts, AgX, with a number of pyridine (‘py’) bases, L, functionalized in the 2-position with N- or O-donor groups, namely 2-amino-, 2-amino-6-methyl-, 2-aminomethyl-, 2-hydroxy-, 2-methoxy- and 2-acetyl- pyridines, ‘2np’, ‘nmp’, ‘amp’, ‘ohp’, ‘mop’, and ‘acp’. A variety of stoichiometries and associated structural types are defined: [Ag(chelate)₂]X, L/X = amp,acp/ClO₄, [XAg(chelate)₂], L/X = acp/tfa, of 1:2 AgX:L stoichiometry; for 1:1 stoichiometry, although a discrete mononuclear complex [(chelate)Ag(O₂NO)] is defined for AgNO₃: acp (1:1), all others are polymers, successive silver atoms being linked by N,N′-bridging ligands singly (L/X = 2np/ClO₄ (?HAgHTAgTHAgH?), amp/ClO₄, NO₃ (?HTAgHTAg?) (‘H’ ≡ head, ‘T’ = tail)) or pairwise, ?L₂AgX₂AgL₂Ag? (L/X = 2np/tfa, nmp/NO₃). More complex polymeric arrays are found with L/X = ohp/NO₃, tfa, where interaction with the metal takes place via the O-donor only, the py functionality being protonated, and in adducts of more complex stoichiometry AgNO₃:mop (2:3) and AgNO₃:2np (3:4).     

The complete mitochondrial genome of the leafminer Liriomyza sativae (Diptera: Agromyzidae): great difference in the A+T-rich region compared to Liriomyza trifolii

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Liriomyza sativae Blanchard (15,551 bp) was determined and analyzed in this study. The circular genome contained 37 genes including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and an A + T-rich region. The initiation codons of COI and ND1 were ‘ATCA’ and ‘GTG’, respectively. ND2 gene used the truncated termination codon ‘T’. All the tRNA genes had the typical cloverleaf secondary structures except for tRNA^Ser(AGN) gene, which was found with the absence of a DHU arm. In addition, a tRNA-like secondary structure (tRNA^Met) was found in the A + T-rich region. The great difference was that the length of L. sativae A + T-rich region was 597 bp shorter than that of Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess). Meanwhile, some minor differences such as ‘TATA’ block were also observed in L. sativae in contrast to ‘TACA’ block in L. trifolii. There were also some essential structure elements such as ‘TATA’ block, ‘G(A)_nT’ block, poly-T stretch and stem-and-loop structure in the A + T-rich region of L. sativae mitochondrial genome.     

Matrix metalloproteinases are not essential for aggrecan turnover during normal skeletal growth and development

The growth plate is a transitional region of cartilage and highly diversified chondrocytes that controls long bone formation. The composition of growth plate cartilage changes markedly from the epiphysis to the metaphysis, notably with the loss of type II collagen, concomitant with an increase in MMP-13; type X collagen; and the C-propeptide of type II collagen. In contrast, the fate of aggrecan in the growth plate is not clear: there is biosynthesis and loss of aggrecan from hypertrophic cartilage, but the mechanism of loss is unknown. All matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) cleave aggrecan between amino acids N341 and F342 in the proteinase-sensitive interglobular domain (IGD), and MMPs in the growth plate are thought to have a role in aggrecanolysis. We have generated mice with aggrecan resistant to proteolysis by MMPs in the IGD and found that the mice develop normally with no skeletal deformities. The mutant mice do not accumulate aggrecan, and there is no significant compensatory proteolysis occurring at alternate sites in the IGD. Our studies reveal that MMP cleavage in this key region is not a predominant mechanism for removing aggrecan from growth plate cartilage.     

Individual personality and the spatial distribution of groups of grazing animals: An example with sheep

Impacts of individual personality on group distribution were investigated using sheep (Ovis aries) as a model. In an indoor exploration test, individuals who visited <4 (out of 6) objects in a novel environment were classified as ‘shy’ (n = 10), and those who visited 5 or 6 objects were classified as ‘bold’ (n = 10). Nine weeks later, using a series of groups (n = 40) of either 5 shy or 5 bold sheep, we measured distribution at pasture and responses to disturbance and the approach of a human handler. When grazing undisturbed, the mean nearest neighbour distance and spread (minimum convex hull area) of shy groups were less than those of bold groups, with shy individuals moving towards one another more often. Shy groups explored a smaller area than bold groups. When disturbed, shy sheep were more likely to stop grazing and move closer together. Shy sheep kept further away from the handler and moved faster when driven. The results demonstrate a link between personality and group distribution, suggesting that our ‘shy’ and ‘bold’ individuals may occupy different positions on the shy-bold continuum documented for other species. We discuss implications for diet composition and impacts on vegetation grazed by animals with different personalities.     

Syntheses, structures and vibrational spectroscopy of some 1:2 and 1:3 adducts of silver(I) oxyanion salts with pyridine and piperidine bases containing non-coordinating 2(,6)-substituents

Synthetic, single crystal X-ray structural characterizations and vibrational spectroscopic studies are recorded for a number of adducts of 1:2 stoichiometry of silver(I) oxyanion salts for oxyanions of differing basicity (perchlorate, nitrate, carboxylate (as trifluoroacetate (≡‘tfa’))), with a variety of pyridine (≡‘py’) or piperidine (≡‘pip’) bases hindered in the 2- (and, sometimes, 6-) position(s) by methyl or non-coordinating functionalities of other types, the ligands employed being 2-methylpyridine (‘2mp’), 2,6-dimethylpyridine (‘lut’), 2,4,6-trimethylpyridine (‘coll’), quinoline (‘quin’), 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (‘tmp’), 2-amino-,6-methylpyridine (‘nmp’), 2-methoxypyridine (‘mop’) and 2-cyanomethylpyridine (‘pcn’); studies are also recorded of adducts with the parent, ‘py’, base and with 4-cyanopyridine (‘cnp’). In the majority of the complexes, the NAgN motif predominates, as might be expected, variously distorted from linearity in response to changes in (competing) basicities of the nitrogen base and any nearby anion or solvent molecule; an unusual variation is found in the highly hindered tmp/tfa adduct which is a monohydrate with interacting water displacing the rather basic anion, the converse being the case in the corresponding nitrate, also a monohydrate. With the less-hindered base mpy, both nitrate and trifluoroacetate are binuclear, with O and OCO bridges corresponding to centrosymmetric four- and eight-membered rings, respectively; the quin/nitrate adduct is more complex, also binuclear but with bis(chelating) nitrate. AgNO₃:py (1:3) is found to be binuclear, while with Agtfa/py, a 3:2 adduct [Ag(py)₂][Ag₂(tfa)₃]_(∞|∞) is found with a novel, polymeric, strongly interacting anion. A further pair of 1:3 adducts, AgNO₃:2np (2np = 2-aminopyridine) and Agtfa:nmp, both mononuclear [AgL₃]⁺X⁻ are described, differing in the modes of interaction of silver with the three N-bases. In all simple NAgN systems with aromatic ligands, the pair of ligand ‘planes’ is disposed quasi-parallel.The far-IR spectra of [AgL₂]Y (L = lut, coll; Y = ClO₄, NO₃, tfa) and of [Ag(py)_n](ClO₄) (n = 2,4) have been recorded and the ν(AgN) bands assigned in the range 80-240 cm⁻¹. For the L = lut, coll complexes, there is a clear trend of decreasing ν(AgN) following increasing r(AgN) as the interaction with the counterion increases along the series Y = ClO₄, NO₃, tfa.     

Molecular characterization and expression analysis of ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1 gene in Citrus reticulata

Ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1 (UBE1) catalyzes the first step in the ubiquitination reaction, which targets a protein for degradation via a proteasome pathway. UBE1 plays an important role in metabolic processes. In this study, full-length cDNA and DNA sequences of UBE1 gene, designated CrUBE1, were obtained from ‘Wuzishatangju’ (self-incompatible, SI) and ‘Shatangju’ (self-compatible, SC) mandarins. 5 amino acids and 8 bases were different in cDNA and DNA sequences of CrUBE1 between ‘Wuzishatangju’ and ‘Shatangju’, respectively. Southern blot analysis showed that there existed only one copy of the CrUBE1 gene in genome of ‘Wuzishatangju’ and ‘Shatangju’. The temporal and spatial expression characteristics of the CrUBE1 gene were investigated using semi-quantitative RT-PCR (SqPCR) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The expression level of the CrUBE1 gene in anthers of ‘Shatangju’ was approximately 10-fold higher than in anthers of ‘Wuzishatangju’. The highest expression level of CrUBE1 was detected in pistils at 7 days after self-pollination of ‘Wuzishatangju’, which was approximately 5-fold higher than at 0 h. To obtain CrUBE1 protein, the full-length cDNA of CrUBE1 genes from ‘Wuzishatangju’ and ‘Shatangju’ were successfully expressed in Pichia pastoris. Pollen germination frequency of ‘Wuzishatangju’ was significantly inhibited with increasing of CrUBE1 protein concentrations from ‘Wuzishatangju’.     

Quality of T-cells after stimulation with leukemia-derived dendritic cells (DC) from patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myeloid dysplastic syndrome (MDS) is predictive for their leukemia cytotoxic potential

Myeloid leukemic cells can differentiate into leukemia-derived dendritic cells (DC_leu), presenting known/unknown leukemic-antigens. Induced anti-leukemic T-cell-responses are variable. To further elicit DC/DC_leu-induced T-cell-response-patterns we performed (functional)flow-cytometry/fluorolysis-assays before/after mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC) of matched (allogeneic) donor-T-cells (n = 6), T-cells prepared at relapse after stem cell transplantation (n = 4) or (autologous) patients’-T-cells (n = 7) with blast-containing-mononuclear-cells (‘MNC’) or DC_leu-containing DC (‘DC’). Compared to ‘MNC’ ‘DC’ were better mediators of anti-leukaemic T-cell-activity, although not in every case effective. We could define cut-off proportions of mature DC, DC_leu, proliferating, CD4⁺, CD8⁺ and non-naive T-cells after ‘MNC’- or ‘DC’-stimulation, that were predictive for an anti-leukemic-activity of stimulated T-cells as well as a response to immunotherapy. Interestingly especially ratios >1 of CD4:CD8 or CD45RO:CD45RA T-cells were predictive for anti-leukemic function after DC-stimulation.In summary the composition and quality of DC and T-cells after a MLC-stimulating-phase is predictive for a successful ex-vivo and in-vivo anti-leukemic response, especially with respect to proportions of proliferating, CD4⁺ and CD45RO⁺ T-cells. Successful cytotoxicity and the development of a T-cell-memory after ‘DC’-stimulation could be predictive for the clinical course of the disease and may pave the way to develop adoptive immunotherapy, especially for patients at relapse after SCT.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of adducts of silver(I) carboxylate salts AgX (X = CF3COO, CH3COO) with ER3 (E = P, As; R = Ph, cy, o-tolyl) and oligodentate aromatic bases derivative of 2,2′-bipyridyl, L, AgX:PR3:L (1:1:1)

Twenty-one adducts of the form AgX:ER₃:L (1:1:1) (X = CF₃COO (‘tfa’), CH₃COO (‘ac’), E = P, As; R = Ph, cy, o-tolyl; L = 2,2′-bipyridyl (‘bpy’)-based ligand) have been synthesized and characterized by analytical, spectroscopic (IR, far-IR, ¹H, ¹⁹F and ³¹P NMR) and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The resulting complexes are predominantly of the form [(R₃E)AgL]⁺X⁻, with a trigonal EAgN₂ coordination environment, the planarity of which may be perturbed by the approach of anion or solvent. The carboxylate anions have been found to be uni-, or semi-bidentate, or also completely ionic, as in the complexes [Ag(PPh₃)(bpy)(H₂O)](tfa) and [Ag(PPh₃)(dpk · H₂O)](tfa) (‘dpk · H₂O’ = bis(2-pyridyl)ketone (hydrated)). The complexes Agac:PPh₃:dpa (1:1:1) and Agac:P(o-tol)₃:dpa:MeCN (1:1:1:1) are dinuclear, with bridging unidentate acetate and terminal unidentate dpa (‘dpa’ = bis(2-pyridyl)amine).     

Type X collagen expression in osteoarthritic and rheumatoid articular cartilage

Type X collagen is a short chain, non-fibrilforming collagen synthesized primarily by hypertrophic chondrocytes in the growth plate of fetal cartilage. Previously, we have also identified type X collagen in the extracellular matrix of fibrillated, osteoarthritic but not in normal articular cartilage using biochemical and immunohistochemical techniques (von der Mark et al. 1992 a). Here we compare the expression of type X with types I and II collagen in normal and degenerate human articular cartilage by in situ hybridization. Signals for cytoplasmic α1(X) collagen mRNA were not detectable in sections of healthy adult articular cartilage, but few specimens of osteoarthritic articular cartilage showed moderate expression of type X collagen in deep zones, but not in the upper fibrillated zone where type X collagen was detected by immunofluorescence. This apparent discrepancy may be explained by the relatively short phases of type X collagen gene activity in osteoarthritis and the short mRNA half-life compared with the longer half-life of the type X collagen protein. At sites of newly formed osteophytic and repair cartilage, α1(X) mRNA was strongly expressed in hypertrophic cells, marking the areas of endochondral bone formation. As in hypertrophic chondrocytes in the proliferative zone of fetal cartilage, type X collagen expression was also associated with strong type II collagen expression.     

Synergistic Action of Transforming Growth Factor-β and Insulin-like Growth Factor-I Induces Expression of Type II Collagen and Aggrecan Genes in Adult Human Articular Chondrocytes

Reexpression of aggrecan and type II collagen genes in dedifferentiated adult human articular chondrocytes (AHAC) in suspension culture varied widely depending on the specific lot of bovine serum used to supplement the culture medium. Some lots of serum provided strong induction of aggrecan and type II collagen expression by AHAC while others did not stimulate significant production of these hyaline cartilage extracellular matrix molecules even following several weeks in culture. Addition of 50 ng/ml insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) to a deficient serum lot significantly enhanced its ability to induce aggrecan and type II collagen mRNA. Given this observation, IGF-I and other growth factors were tested in defined serum-free media for their effects on the expression of these genes. Neither IGF-I nor insulin nor transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) alone stimulated induction of aggrecan or type II collagen production by dedifferentiated AHAC. However, TGF-β1 or TGF-β2 combined with IGF-I or insulin provided a strong induction as demonstrated by RNase protection and immunohistochemical assays. Interestingly, type I collagen, previously shown to be downregulated in serum supplemented suspension cultures of articular chondrocytes, persisted for up to 12 weeks in AHAC cultured in defined medium supplemented with TGF-β and IGF-I.