Phenotypic modulation of chondrocytes as a potential therapeutic target in osteoarthritis: A hypothesis
Phenotypic modulation of chondrocytes as a potential therapeutic target in osteoarthritis: A hypothesis
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DOI：
10.1136/ard.56.5.287
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发表时间：
1997-05-01
影响因子：
27.4
通讯作者：
Dudhia, J
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Aigner, T;Dudhia, J
One central hallmark of osteoarthritic cartilage degeneration is the loss of matrix molecules, in particular proteoglycans. However, chondrocytes of osteoarthritic cartilage are generally thought to be anabolically hyperactive. Thus, in osteoarthritic cartilage degeneration, the ongoing net loss of the cartilage matrix components is attributed not to a lack of synthesis of cartilage matrix molecules by the cartilage cells, but to an increase in matrix catabolism by most authors. 1–3 In contrast, our in situ analysis on the single cell level showed a suppression of aggrecan and collagen type II expression in the chondrocytes in the upper cartilage zone, which is critical for the progression of the cartilage destruction. Phenotyping of the osteoarthritic chondrocytes in this zone furthermore shows that the decrease in anabolic activity was presumably not simply because of cell deactivation, but may entail a specific cell diVerentiation pathway taken by the osteoarthritic chondrocytes. Based on our in situ analyses, we suggest a three step process of cellular events as one central pathway during osteoarthritic cartilage destruction. We conclude that stimulation of matrix anabolism via rediVerentiation of osteoarthritic chondrocytes may be a relevant goal in future therapeutic approaches to osteoarthritic cartilage destruction.
