The chondrocyte channelome: A narrative review

Chondrocytes are the main cells in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of articular cartilage and possess a highly differentiated phenotype that is the hallmark of the unique physiological functions of this specialised load-bearing connective tissue. The plasma membrane of articular chondrocytes contains a rich and diverse complement of membrane proteins, known as the membranome, which defines the cell surface phenotype of the cells. The membranome is a key target of pharmacological agents and is important for chondrocyte function. It includes channels, transporters, enzymes, receptors, and anchors for intracellular, cytoskeletal and ECM proteins and other macromolecular complexes. The chondrocyte channelome is a sub-compartment of the membranome and includes a complete set of ion channels and porins expressed in these cells. Many of these are multi-functional proteins with “moonlighting” roles, serving as channels, receptors and signalling components of larger molecular assemblies. The aim of this review is to summarise our current knowledge of the fundamental aspects of the chondrocyte channelome, discuss its relevance to cartilage biology and highlight its possible role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Excessive and inappropriate mechanical loads, an inflammatory micro-environment, alternative splicing of channel components or accumulation of basic calcium phosphate crystals can result in an altered chondrocyte channelome impairing its function. Alterations in Ca²⁺ signalling may lead to defective synthesis of ECM macromolecules and aggravated catabolic responses in chondrocytes, which is an important and relatively unexplored aspect of the complex and poorly understood mechanism of OA development.     

张应力对小鼠蝶枕软骨联合细胞增殖及低氧诱导因子- 1α表达的影响

目的:了解循环张应力对小鼠颅底蝶枕软骨联合细胞(SOSCs)增殖及低氧诱导因子-1α表达的影响。方法:采集1 d龄小鼠的SOSCs进行体外培养,对第三代细胞加载牵张形变率分别为3%、6%、9%,频率为1 Hz,持续时间为1 h的循环张应力;用流式细胞术测算细胞增殖指数,用蛋白免疫印迹技术分析Hif-1α的表达水平。用按相同条件培养但不加力的细胞作为对照。结果:各实验组细胞的增殖指数和Hif-1α相对表达量都高于对照组(P<0.05);其中,6%牵张形变率组的细胞增殖指数和Hif-1α相对表达量较对照组增加最多。结论:适宜强度的循环张应力对体外培养小鼠SOSCs的增殖和Hif-1α表达具有促进作用。     

物理性刺激对骨膜软骨生成的影响

目的探讨物理性刺激对骨膜软骨生成方面的影响,以期培养出一种与正常关节软骨更相似的软骨组织。方法从新西兰大白兔胫骨近端内侧取下骨膜,将骨膜固定在支架上,然后将细胞支架悬吊在旋转瓶内,用水流产生的剪切应力去刺激骨膜。通过宏观观察、体积大小测量、组织切片染色与细胞外基质(ECM)成分的比较及生物力学测试分析软骨体外生长的最佳环境。结果宏观观察发现软骨生长的方向与水流的方向相同。组织切片染色可见有两层不同形态的软骨细胞和不同密度的ECM,免疫组织化学染色见在剪切应力的刺激下,软骨表面可分泌浅层蛋白质及润滑剂,且在不同大小的剪切应力刺激时,软骨表面还会产生不同厚度的表层。结论剪切应力刺激能使骨膜上的干细胞分化形成软骨,同时证明力学环境不仅影响细胞的分化与生长,而且影响细胞的形态与ECM的分泌。     

胰岛素样生长因子-1基因转染脂肪间充质干细胞向软骨细胞分化的研究

目的 观察胰岛素样生长因子(IGF)-1基因转染的脂肪间充质干细胞(ADSCs)向软骨细胞分化的效果.方法 原代培养兔ADSCs,免疫荧光法检测细胞表面抗原CD44、CIM9;脂质体介导人IGF-1基因转染兔ADSCs联合低浓度血清培养基向软骨细胞分化诱导,RT-PCR及Western blot方法检测IGF-1的表达,MMT法绘制细胞增殖曲线、甲苯胺蓝染色软骨结节、免疫组织化学检测Ⅱ型胶原的表达.结果 脂肪间充质干细胞CD44、CD109表达阳性,基因转染后细胞IGF-1表达阳性,细胞增殖速度增快,出现软骨结节,Ⅱ型胶原表达增高.结论 从脂肪组织中能够分离出增殖旺盛的ADSCs,IGF-1在ADSCs内获得稳定表达,细胞增殖能力增强,促进其向软骨细胞分化.     

Chondrocyte-seeded hydroxyapatite for repair of large articular cartilage defects. A pilot study in the goat

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential for restoration of a large cartilage defect in the goat knee with hydroxyapatite (HA) loaded with chondrocytes. Isolated chondrocytes were suspended in fibrin glue, seeded on top of the HA, and then the composite graft was implanted in the defect. After transplantation, cell behaviour, newly synthesised matrix and the HA–glue interface were assessed histologically after 2, 4, 12, 26 and 52 weeks. Special attention was paid to the incorporation process of HA in the subchondral bone and interactions between this biomaterial and the fibrin-glue–chondrocyte suspension.

Chondrocytes in the glue proved to survive the transplantation procedure and produced new metachromatically stained matrix two weeks after implantation. The glue–cell suspension had penetrated the superficial porous structure of the HA. Four weeks after surgery, islands of hyaline-like cartilage were observed at the HA–glue interface. A layer of fibrous tissue was formed surrounding the HA graft, resulting in a relatively instable fixation of the HA in the defect. This instability of the graft in the defect, possibly together with early weight bearing, resulted in a gradual loss of the newly formed hyaline cartilage-like repair tissue. Progressive resorption of the HA occurred without any sign of active bone remodelling from the host site. One year after surgery part of the defect which extended down to the cancellous bone had been predominantly restored with newly formed lamellar bone. Only small HA remnants were still present at the bottom of the original defect. Resurfacing of the joint had occurred with fibrocartilaginous repair tissue.

The absence of adequate fixation capacity of the HA near the joint space resulted in a relative instability of the graft with progressive resorption. Therefore, HA is not a suitable biomaterial to facilitate the repair of large articular cartilage defects.     

离心力在体外构建组织工程软骨中的作用

目的探讨离心力对软骨细胞功能表达和组织工程软骨结构的影响。方法采用组织化学和免疫组织化学观察组织工程软骨结构以及Ⅱ型胶原表达情况,应用DMMB分光法测定组织工程软骨硫酸化糖胺多糖(GAG)的含量。结果体外培养2、4、8周时,静态培养的组织较离心培养的组织Ⅱ胶原免疫组织化学染色弱;并且其GAG含量低于离心培养组织GAG含量,各组差异均有统计学意义(F分别为12.3、10.2、9.1,P<0.05)。离心培养的组织工程软骨GAG含量于第4周达到高峰,均值为(7.60±0.79)%。结论离心力刺激软骨细胞分泌GAG和Ⅱ型胶原,并且影响组织工程软骨结构的排列。     

碱性成纤维细胞生长因子转染兔关节软骨细胞的研究

目的　探讨碱性成纤维细胞生长因子 (bFGF)基因转染兔关节软骨细胞后对培养的关节软骨细胞形态、分裂增殖及代谢等方面的影响。方法　将bFGF基因克隆于真核表达载体pHβ。AP 1中 ,构建重组真核表达载体 pHβ bFGF ,转染兔关节软骨细胞。G418筛选阳性克隆 ,检测阳性细胞bFGF基因的表达水平。测定培养软骨细胞的DNA含量、糖醛酸含量、软骨细胞增殖情况及进行细胞周期分析。结果　bFGF基因转染软骨细胞表型未见显著变化 ;bFGF基因转染组、载体对照组、空白对照组DNA含量分别为 ( 77.37± 6 .2 1)、( 40 .39± 4.33)、( 33 .77± 4.2 5 ) μg/瓶 (P <0 .0 1) ,糖醛酸含量分别为 ( 30 8.8± 10 .2 )、( 77.9± 8.7)、( 80 .2± 10 .5 ) μg/瓶 ( P <0 .0 1) ,软骨细胞G1期分别为 5 9.3± 2 .1、6 9.5± 4.0、73 .1± 3 .9(P <0 .0 5 )。结论　bFGF转染关节软骨细胞后 ,可显著促进细胞分裂增殖并缩短细胞周期 ,为软骨组织工程研究提供新的技术路线及理论基础。     

Matrix Vesicles Promote Mineralization in a Gelatin Gel

Extracellular matrix vesicles (MVs) are associated with initial calcification in a variety of tissues, but the mechanisms by which they promote mineralization are not certain. In this study, MVs isolated from fourth passage rat growth plate chondrocyte cultures were included within a gelatin gel into which calcium and phosphate ions diffused from opposite ends. In this gel, apatite formation occurs by 3.5 days in the absence of mineralization promoters, allowing measurement of the ability of different factors to ``nucleate' apatite before this time or to assess the effects of molecules which modulate the rate and extent of mineral deposition. Mineral ion accumulation and crystal type are assayed at 5 days. In this study, MV protein content in the central band of a 10% gelatin gel was varied by including 100 μl of a Tris-buffered solution containing 0–300 μg/ml MV protein. There was a concentration-dependent increase in mineral accretion. Whereas 10 μg MV protein in the gel did not significantly promote apatite formation as compared with vesicle-free gels, 20 and 30 μg MV protein in the gel did promote apatite deposition. Inclusion of 10 mM β-glycerophosphate in the gels, along with MVs, did not significantly increase apatite formation despite the demonstrable alkaline phosphatase activity of the MVs. In contrast, MVs at all concentrations significantly increased apatite accumulation when proteoglycan aggregates or ATP, inhibitors of apatite formation and proliferation, were included in the gel. Slight increases in calcium, but not phosphate accumulation, were also noted when an ionophore was included with the MVs to facilitate Ca ion transport into the vesicles. FT-IR analysis of the mineral formed in the vesicle-containing gels revealed the presence of a bone-like apatite. These data suggest that MVs facilitate mineralization by providing enzymes that modify inhibitory factors in the extracellular matrix, as well as by providing a protected environment in which mineral ions can accumulate. Received: 28 January 1996 / Accepted: 9 August 1996     

Matrix vesicles are enriched in metalloproteinases that degrade proteoglycans

Summary This study examined the presence of extracellular matrix processing enzymes in matrix vesicles produced by rat costochondral resting zone and growth zone chondrocytes in culture. Optimum procedures for the extraction of each enzyme activity were determined. Enzyme activity associated with chondrocyte plasma membrane microsomes was used for comparison. There was a differential distribution of the enzyme activities related to the cartilage zone from which the cells were isolated. Acid and neutral metalloproteinase (TIMP), plasminogen activator, and betaglucuronidase were highest in the growth zone chondrocyte (GC) membrane fractions when compared with matrix vesicles and plasma membranes isolated from resting zone chondrocyte (RC) cultures. There was a threefold enrichment of total and active acid metalloproteinase in GC matrix vesicles, whereas no enrichment in enzyme activity was observed in RC matrix vesicles. Total and active neutral metalloproteinase were similarly enriched twofold in GC matrix vesicles. TIMP, plasminogen activator, and betaglucuronidase activities were highest in the plasma membranes of both cell types. No collagenase, lysozyme, or hyaluronidase activity was found in any of the membrane fractions. The data indicate that matrix vesicles are selectively enriched in enzymes which degrade proteoglycans. The highest concentrations of these enzymes are found in matrix vesicles produced by growth zone chondrocytes, suggesting that this may be a mechanism by which the more differentiated cell modulates the matrix for calcification.     

Capacitively coupled electrical stimulation of bovine growth plate chondrocytes grown in pellet form

Pellets formed from isolated bovine growth plate chondrocytes were grown in various capacitively coupled electrical fields. The signals chosen were 0, 10, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1,000, and 1,500 V peak-to-peak, 60 kHz. The effect on cell proliferation and matrix production of these different voltages was determined by [3H]thymidine and [35S]sulfate uptake, respectively, Cyclic AMP assays were done to determine if increases in either thymidine or sulfate uptake were associated with changes in cAMP levels. Significantly increased cell proliferation occurred at 500, 750, and 1,000 V peak to peak. The calculated electric fields were 1.5 to 3.0 x 10(-2) V/cm. Proliferation was significantly inhibited at 1,500 V peak-to-peak with a calculated field of 4.5 x 10(-2) V/cm. Little if any change was seen in cAMP levels at 30 or 60 min following application of the appropriate electric signals.