Volume 13, Issue 9b pp. 3398-3404

Dedifferentiation of human articular chondrocytes is associated with alterations in expression patterns of GDF-5 and its receptors

Werner Schlegel

Corresponding Author

Werner Schlegel

Medical University Vienna, Department of Traumatology, Center for Joint and Cartilage Waehringer Guertel, Vienna, Austria

Medical University of Vienna, Department of Paediatrics, Waehringer Guertel, Vienna, Austria

Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Austria

These authors contributed equally.

Correspondence to: Werner SCHLEGEL, Medical University of Vienna, Department of Traumatology, Center for Joint and Cartilage, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
Tel.: +43 1 40400/5964
Fax: +43 1 40400/5947
E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author
Christian Albrecht

Christian Albrecht

Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, University of Salzburg, Department of Cell Biology, Hellbrunner Straße, Salzburg, Austria

These authors contributed equally.

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Peter Eckl

Peter Eckl

Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, University of Salzburg, Department of Cell Biology, Hellbrunner Straße, Salzburg, Austria

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Harald Freudenthaler

Harald Freudenthaler

Medical University of Vienna, Department of Surgery, Waehringer Guertel, Vienna, Austria

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Angelika Berger

Angelika Berger

Medical University Vienna, Department of Traumatology, Center for Joint and Cartilage Waehringer Guertel, Vienna, Austria

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Vilmos Vécsei

Vilmos Vécsei

Medical University Vienna, Department of Traumatology, Center for Joint and Cartilage Waehringer Guertel, Vienna, Austria

Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Austria

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Stefan Marlovits

Stefan Marlovits

Medical University Vienna, Department of Traumatology, Center for Joint and Cartilage Waehringer Guertel, Vienna, Austria

Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Austria

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First published: 29 January 2010
Citations: 16

Abstract

Human articular chondrocytes are expanded in monolayer culture in order to obtain sufficient cells for matrix-associated cartilage transplantation. During this proliferation process, the cells change their shape as well as their expression profile. These changes resemble those that occur during embryogenesis, when the limb anlagen form the interzone that later develops the joint cleft. We analysed the expression profile of genes that are reportedly important for these changes during embryogenesis within the dedifferentiation process of adult articular chondrocytes. We found GDF-5, BMPR-Ib and connexin 43 up-regulated, as well as a down-regulation of BMPR-Ia and noggin. Connexin 32 could not be detected in either native cartilage or in dedifferentiated cells. The newly synthesized proteins were detected by immunofluorescence. There is evidence from our results that dedifferentiated chondrocytes resemble the cells from the interzone in developing synovial joints.

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