Bone Abstracts

Endochondral ossification is regulated by various transcription factors in a temporo-spatial manner. Identification of novel transcription factors involved in chondrogenesis would facilitate to uncover the molecular basis of endochondral ossification. To approach this, we generated transgenic mice in which chondrocytes were specifically fluorescence-labeled with Venus gene using Col2a1 gene promoter, thereby allowing us to isolate Venus-positive chondrogenic cells using FACS A...

Introduction: Wnt ligands bind to LDL receptor-related protein (LRP) 5 or −6, triggering a cascade of downstream events that include β-catenin signaling. Here, we explored the roles of LRP5 in interleukin (IL)-1β- or Wnt-mediated osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage destruction in mice.Methods: The expression levels of LRP5, Type II collagen, and catabolic factors were determined in mouse articular chondrocytes, human OA cartilage, and mouse exp...

Purpose: Osteoclastogenesis is enhanced in osteoarthritis (OA). We have demonstrated that cartilage breakdown is reduced when osteoclastogenesis is inhibited in murine models. Wnt activity, known to regulate the bone and chondrocyte cell function, might contribute to the mechanisms that promote cartilage catabolism. Our purpose was to evaluate whether osteoclast-secreted molecules affect the chondrocyte metabolism and assess the contribution of Wnt pathway.<p class="abstex...

Background and objective: Targeting bone and cartilage includes approaches using tetracyclines, peptide conjugates, as well as anionic moieties like bisphosphonates. However, the selective targeting of the different compartments still remains a challenge. In previous studies native and demineralized ovine bone was used to analyze the affinity of polyanions derived from dendritic polyglycerol (dPG) toward hydroxyapatite and collagen. Whereas the neutral polymer did not show any...

Background: The activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling promotes cellular senescence and induces matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression in intervertebral disc (IVD). However, little is known about the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling and MMPs expression in degenerated human IVDs.Materials and methods: Nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) were separated from the degenerated disc nucleus tissue by performing sequentia...

Background: Expression of toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and 4 was up-regulated in lesional areas of OA cartilage. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) reduces the TLR signalling pathway in multiple organ failures. However, little is known about the effects of HBO on the catabolic pathway mediated by TLRs in human osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes.Materials and methods: OA chondrocytes were separated from the knees of OA patients by performing sequential enzymatic digesti...

Introduction: Meniscus plays an essential role in knee joint function providing stability and load transmission. In osteoarthritis (OA), a joint disease characterized by chronic synovitis and cartilage degeneration, pathological changes in the menisci are observed. However, whether menisci contribute to the progression of OA, the underlying mechanism for meniscus-cartilage communication is still unclear. In this study we analyzed systematically the response of meniscus and car...

Introduction: Osteoarthritis is the most common and debilitating degenerative arthropathy. Prevention and patient education are part of the international recommendations. A survey was realized with 43 medical specialists at the Hospital University of Casablanca, about their point of views on the role of therapeutic education for patients with osteoarthritis of the lower limb. Doctors justified the importance of patient education.Study purpose: Evaluate o...

FGFR3 activating mutations are responsible for achondroplasia (ACH), the most common form of dwarfism. ACH clinical features include short stature, midface hypoplasia, frontal bossing and prognathism and both endochondral and membranous ossifications are disturbed. It is unknown if abnormal mandibles are present in ACH. To date, it is believed that primary (Meckel’s) and secondary (angular and condylar) cartilages play important roles in determining the final shape and po...