Identification of phenotype differences in articular cartilage and meniscus at knee joint in collagen xxii null mouse

Purpose: Collagen XXII, encoded by the Col22a1 gene, is a newly identified extracellular matrix (ECM) protein localized at the articular cartilage-synovial fluid junction and expressed by the superficial zone (SZ) chondrocytes at the lining of articular cartilage (AC) and Meniscus (MC) whereas, originally identified at the myotendinous junction of heart and skeletal muscle. With the knowledge of COL22A1 expression pattern from prenatal to postnatal development marking the Joint progenitor cells (JPCs), the work aims to explore whether COL22A1 is crucial to SZ outer lining of AC and MC in maintaining the progenitor potential of SZ cells at knee joint in terms of structure and regulating their microenvironment.
Source: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage - Category: Rheumatology Authors: Source Type: research