Regulators of chondrocyte differentiation in tibial dyschondroplasia: an in vivo and in vitro study

The Ihh signal is essential for regulating proliferation and hypertrophy of cultured chicken chondrocytes

The Indian hedgehog (Ihh) signal plays a vital role in regulating proliferation and hypertrophy of chondrocytes. To investigate its function in postnatal chicken (Gallus gallus) chondrocytes, cyclopamine was used to inhibit Ihh signaling. The MTT and ALP assays revealed the downgrade-proliferation and upgrade-differentiation of chondrocytes. To further elucidate the mechanism, the mRNA expression levels of Ihh, parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP), Gli-2, Bcl-2, Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6 (BMP-6), type X collagen (Col X) and type II collagen (Col II) were detected by quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis, and the protein expressions of Ihh, Col X, and Col II were determined using Western blot analysis. After the Ihh signal was blocked, chondrocytes demonstrated high expression levels of PTHrP and Col X and low levels of Gli-2, BMP-6, Bcl-2 and Col II although Ihh expression was increased. Based on these results, the Ihh signal is essential for balancing chicken chondrocyte proliferation and hypertrophy, and the regulatory function of PTHrP acts in an Ihh-dependent manner. Furthermore, BMP-6 and Bcl-2 played roles in maintaining the development of chondrocytes and may be downstream regulatory factors of Ihh signaling.

The role of matrix gla protein in ossification and recovery of the avian growth plate

Extracellular matrix mineralization is an essential physiologic process in bone, teeth, and hypertrophic cartilage. Matrix Gla protein (MGP), an inhibitor of mineralization, is expressed by chondrocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells to inhibit calcification of those soft tissues. Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD), a skeletal abnormality apparent as a plug of non-vascularized, non-mineralized, white opaque cartilage in the tibial growth plate of avian species can serve as a good model for studying process and genes involved in matrix mineralization and calcification. In this work, we studied the involvement of MGP in the development of TD, as well as in the processes of spontaneous and induced recovery from this syndrome. First, we found that during normal bone development, MGP is expressed in specific time and locations, starting from wide-spread expression in the yet un-ossified diaphysis during embryonic development, to specific expression in hypertrophic chondrocytes adjacent to the chondro-osseous junction and the secondary ossification center just prior to calcification. In addition, we show that MGP is not expressed in the impaired TD lesion, however when the lesion begins to heal, it strongly express MGP prior to its calcification. Moreover, we show that when calcification is inhibited, a gap is formed between the expression zones of MGP and BMP2 and that this gap is closed during the healing process. To conclude, we suggest that MGP, directly or through interaction with BMP2, plays a role as ossification regulator that acts prior to ossification, rather then simple inhibitor.

The appearance and modulation of osteocyte marker expression during calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells

Background

Vascular calcification is an indicator of elevated cardiovascular risk. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), the predominant cell type involved in medial vascular calcification, can undergo phenotypic transition to both osteoblastic and chondrocytic cells within a calcifying environment.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In the present study, using in vitro VSMC calcification studies in conjunction with ex vivo analyses of a mouse model of medial calcification, we show that vascular calcification is also associated with the expression of osteocyte phenotype markers. As controls, the terminal differentiation of murine calvarial osteoblasts into osteocytes was induced in vitro in the presence of calcifying medium (containing ß-glycerophosphate and ascorbic acid), as determined by increased expression of the osteocyte markers DMP-1, E11 and sclerostin. Culture of murine aortic VSMCs under identical conditions confirmed that the calcification of these cells can also be induced in similar calcifying medium. Calcified VSMCs had increased alkaline phosphatase activity and PiT-1 expression, which are recognized markers of vascular calcification. Expression of DMP-1, E11 and sclerostin was up-regulated during VSMC calcification in vitro. Increased protein expression of E11, an early osteocyte marker, and sclerostin, expressed by more mature osteocytes was also observed in the calcified media of Enpp1^−/− mouse aortic tissue.

Conclusions/Significance

This study has demonstrated the up-regulation of key osteocytic molecules during the vascular calcification process. A fuller understanding of the functional role of osteocyte formation and specifically sclerostin and E11 expression in the vascular calcification process may identify novel potential therapeutic strategies for clinical intervention.

Effect of temperature during the incubation period on tibial growth plate chondrocyte differentiation and the incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia

Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is one of the most prevalent skeletal abnormalities in avian species, causing enormous economic losses and major animal welfare problems. Irregular cell differentiation of the chondrocytes that populate the growth plate has been hypothesized to be involved in the etiology of the disease. We evaluated the effect of incubation temperature at various stages of embryo development and bone formation on growth plate chondrocyte differentiation and the incidence of TD. Eggs were incubated either at a control temperature of 37.8 degrees C, or at 36.9 or 39 degrees C, each for 6 h/ d, during early (0 to 8 d) or late (10 to 18 d) embryo development. At 14 d of incubation and at hatch, tibias were collected and weighed, and their ash and calcium contents were determined. Growth plate chondrocyte differentiation was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase activity and collagen type II and osteopontin gene expression. In addition, the level of the heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90) was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The rest of the chicks were raised to 49 d and the incidence of TD was recorded. The incidence of TD increased only when the temperature was altered at the early stages of embryo development, and it was correlated with an increase in tibia ash but not with tibia weight or calcium content. Moreover, increased TD incidence was correlated with delayed chondrocyte differentiation. Early changes in incubation temperature caused an increase in the level of Hsp90 in articular and differentiated chondrocytes of the hypertrophic zone and in the numbers of distinct undifferentiated chondrocytes arranged in columns in the proliferative zone of the growth plate. In summary, the early stages of embryo development and bone formation are of utmost importantance for appropriate growth plate chondrocyte differentiation, and any temperature deviation will increase the subsequent incidence of TD. The increase in TD incidence is probably the result of delayed Hsp90-driven chondrocyte differentiation, supporting the hypothesis that TD is the result of abnormal chondrocyte differentiation.

Discondroplasia tibial: mecanismos de lesão e controle

A discondroplasia tibial (DT) é atribuída a uma assincronia no processo de diferenciação dos condrócitos, levando à formação de uma camada de condrócitos pré-hipertróficos e de uma cartilagem na tíbia proximal que não é calcificada, mas é resistente à invasão vascular. Além disso, tem sido proposto que, na discondroplasia tíbial, a etapa final do processo de calcificação não ocorre devido ao fato de que os efetores de alguns genes, relacionados com o mecanismo de calcificação do disco de crescimento podem apresentar algumas de suas propriedades químicas ou biológicas alteradas e/ou não serem expressos. Nesse sentido, a compreensão do mecanismo de ação e o papel das biomoléculas e dos minerais relacionados com a discondroplasia tibial poderão contribuir para o conhecimento de doenças do tecido ósseo e estabelecer estratégias de prevenção e tratamento.

Chondrocytes and longitudinal bone growth: the development of tibial dyschondroplasia

Growth plate cartilage is central to the process of bone elongation. Chondrocytes originating within the resting zone of the growth plate proceed through a series of intermediate phenotypes: proliferating, prehypertrophic and hypertrophic, before reaching a terminally differentiated state. Disruption of this chondrocyte maturational sequence causes many skeletal abnormalities in poultry such as tibial dyschondroplasia (TD), which is a common cause of deformity and lameness in the broiler chicken. Cell and matrix components of the growth plate have been studied in order to determine the cause(s) of the premature arrest of chondrocyte differentiation and retention of prehypertrophic chondrocytes observed in TD. Chondrocyte proliferation proceeds normally in TD, but markers of the differentiated phenotype, local growth factors, and the vitamin D receptor are abnormally expressed within the prehypertrophic chondrocytes above, and within, the lesion. Tibial dyschondroplasia is also associated with a reduced incidence of apoptosis, suggesting that the lesion contains an accumulation of immature cells that have outlived their normal life span. Immunolocalization studies of matrix components suggest an abnormal distribution within the TD growth plate that is consistent with a failure of the chondrocytes to fully hypertrophy. In addition, the collagen matrix of the TD lesion is highly crosslinked, which may make the formed lesion more impervious to vascular invasion and osteoclastic resorption. Recent studies have applied the techniques of differential display and semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to RNA obtained from discrete populations of growth plate chondrocytes of different maturational phenotypes. This strategy has allowed us to compare phenotypically identical cell fractions from normal and TD growth plates in an attempt to identify possible candidate genes for TD.

Expression patterns of chondrocyte genes cloned by differential display in tibial dyschondroplasia

Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) appears to involve a failure of the growth plate chondrocytes within growing long bones to differentiate fully to the hypertrophic stage, resulting in a mass of prehypertrophic chondrocytes which form the avascular TD lesion. Many biochemical and molecular markers of chondrocyte hypertrophy are absent from the lesion, or show reduced expression, but the cause of the disorder remains to be identified. As differentiation to the hypertrophic state is impaired in TD, we hypothesised that chondrocyte genes that are differentially expressed in the growth plate should show altered expression in TD. Using differential display, four genes, B-cadherin, EF2, HT7 and Ex-FABP were cloned from chondrocytes stimulated to differentiate to the hypertrophic stage in vitro, and their differential expression confirmed in vivo. Using semi-quantitative RT-PCR, the expression patterns of these genes were compared in chondrocytes from normal and TD growth plates. Surprisingly, none of these genes showed the pattern of expression that might be expected in TD lesion chondrocytes, and two of them, B-cadherin and Ex-FABP, were upregulated in the lesion. This indicates that the TD phenotype does not merely reflect the absence of hypertrophic marker genes, but may be influenced by more complex developmental mechanisms/defects than previously thought.

Changes in bone morphogenic enzymes and lipid composition of equine osteochondrotic subchondral bone

Osteochondrosis (OC) is a disturbance in the process of endochondral ossification, a process in which cartilage is mineralised and transformed into bone. In this process different biochemical events occur, of which the cartilage component has been studied so far almost exclusively. In this study we concentrated on the biochemical characterisation of normal and osteochondrotic subchondral bone, by analysis of enzyme activities, DNA content and phospholipids (PL). In subchondral bone, lysyl oxidase and both total and bone alkaline phosphatase activity were significantly increased in all degrees of OC. DNA content was increased only in the most established grade of OC investigated (grade 4). Furthermore, lactate dehydrogenase activity was significantly lower in grades 2 and 3 OC, but was normal in grade 4 OC, indicating that severe cell damage is not probable. Nonbuffer extractable PL content was substantially higher in osteochondrotic subchondral bone. The phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) to phosphatidylcholine (PC) ratio in both normal and OC subchondral bone was very low (typically 0.21 w/w, PE/PC), which indicates that these PLs were not from cellular origin and could be important in the maturation process of mineralised cartilage into bone and hence in the pathogenesis of OC.

Hormones, growth factors and other plasma variables in relation to osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis (OC) is a multifactorial disorder with endocrinological dysfunction and mineral imbalance having a role in pathogenesis. The present study focused on a possible relationship between insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II), parathyroid hormone (PTH), 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D), cortisol, copper, zinc, calcium, ionised calcium, magnesium and phosphorus and 5 different postmortem and radiographical osteochondrosis scores of hock and stifle joints in foals age 0-11 months. Osteochondrosis-positive foals showed a significantly lower IGF-I activity than osteochondrosis-negative foals. PTH, 1,25(OH)2D, cortisol, copper, zinc and calcium also showed significant differences between osteochondrosis-positive and osteochondrosis-negative foals.

Changes in proteoglycan metabolism in osteochondrotic articular cartilage of growing foals

In osteochondrosis (OC) the process of endochondral ossification is impaired. Proteoglycans form one of the major components of the extracellular matrix of cartilage and are able to bind calcium. For this reason, proteoglycans are thought to play an important role early in the mineralisation process and may, therefore, be important in the pathogenesis of OC. To investigate possible differences in proteoglycan metabolism, normal and osteochondrotic articular-epiphyseal cartilage was harvested from the hock and stifle joints of 43 foals age 5 and 11 months. The samples were cultured as explants in which 35S-[sulphate]-incorporation, release of newly synthesised and endogenous proteoglycans and content of DNA and proteoglycans were measured ex vivo and after a 4 day period of serum stimulation. In osteochondrotic cartilage of foals age both 5 and 11 months synthesis of proteoglycans was less stimulated by serum than in normal cartilage. Furthermore, only in the foals age 11 months, ex vivo proteoglycan production was decreased and an increase in the turnover of newly synthesised proteoglycans was detected in osteochondrotic cartilage, without a change in release of endogenous proteoglycans. The reduced response to serum stimulation in osteochondrotic cartilage indicates that osteochondrotic chondrocytes are less vital. The increase in turnover of newly synthesised proteoglycans reflects a change in composition of the proteoglycan pool. Considering the late changes in proteoglycan synthesis, an aberrant proteoglycan synthesis pattern is more likely to be a sequence than a primary cause of the impaired endochondral ossification of osteochondrotic lesions.

Microtubules are potential regulators of growth-plate chondrocyte differentiation and hypertrophy

Terminal differentiation of growth-plate chondrocytes is accompanied by the acquisition of a spherical morphology and a large increase in cell volume. These changes are likely to be associated with rearrangement of the cytoskeleton, but little information on this aspect of chondrocyte hypertrophy is available. We report a role for microtubules in the control of chondrocyte maturation and hypertrophy. Chick growth-plate chondrocytes were fractionated into five maturationally distinct populations by Percoll density gradient centrifugation, and agarose gel differential display analysis was performed. We identified a 1200 bp cDNA fragment derived from a transcript that was most highly expressed in the hypertrophic chondrocytes. After cloning and sequencing, FASTA and BLAST analysis revealed 100% identity to chick beta7-tubulin. Differential expression was confirmed in a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay using specific primers for a 343 bp fragment from the 3' untranslated region of beta7-tubulin. Beta7-tubulin was upregulated three-fold in fully hypertrophic chondrocytes compared with the other four fractions, which all had similar levels of expression. Immunocytochemical localization of beta-tubulin in chick growth-plate sections demonstrated little staining in the chondrocytes of the proliferating zone, but intense cytoplasmic staining was present in the large hypertrophic chondrocytes. In cell culture studies, the addition of colchicine (10(-6) mol/L) resulted in a higher rate of [3H]-thymidine uptake (36.0%; p < 0.001), but lower amounts of alkaline phosphatase activity (69.1%; p < 0.001), collagen (49.1%; p < 0.01), and glycosaminoglycan (43.3%; p < 0.01) accumulation within the cell-matrix layer. Further evidence for the involvement of microtubules in chondrocyte differentiation and hypertrophy was obtained by morphological assessment of colchicine-treated growth-plate explant cultures. A partial failure of chondrocyte hypertrophy was observed, although collagen type X immunoreactivity was noted within the interstitial matrix. Further studies are required to identify the exact role of microtubules in chondrocyte hypertrophy, but the results presented here suggest that upregulation of beta-tubulin may be required for increased microtubule synthesis during changes in cell size during the hypertrophic process. In addition, as cell-matrix interactions are required for chondrocyte maturation, microtubules may promote the differentiated phenotype as a result of their role in Golgi-mediated secretion of matrix proteins.

Mineralization and growth of cultured embryonic skeletal tissue in microgravity

Microgravity provides a unique environment in which to study normal and pathological phenomenon. Very few studies have been done to examine the effects of microgravity on developing skeletal tissue such as growth plate formation and maintenance, elongation of bone primordia, or the mineralization of growth plate cartilage. Embryonic mouse premetatarsal triads were cultured on three space shuttle flights to study cartilage growth, differentiation, and mineralization, in a microgravity environment. The premetatarsal triads that were cultured in microgravity all formed cartilage rods and grew in length. However, the premetatarsal cartilage rods cultured in microgravity grew less in length than the ground control cartilage rods. Terminal chondrocyte differentiation also occurred during culture in microgravity, as well as in the ground controls, and the matrix around the hypertrophied chondrocytes was capable of mineralizing in both groups. The same percentage of premetatarsals mineralized in the microgravity cultures as mineralized in the ground control cultures. In addition, the sizes of the mineralized areas between the two groups were very similar. However, the amount of 45Ca incorporated into the mineralized areas was significantly lower in the microgravity cultures, suggesting that the composition or density of the mineralized regions was compromised in microgravity. There was no significant difference in the amount of 45Ca liberated from prelabeled explants in microgravity or in the ground controls.

Ascorbic acid-induced chondrocyte terminal differentiation: the role of the extracellular matrix and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D

Chondrocyte terminal differentiation is associated with cellular hypertrophy increased activity of plasma membrane alkaline phosphatase and the synthesis of collagen type X. The hypertrophic phenotype of cultured chondrocytes can be stimulated by ascorbic acid but the underlying mechanisms for this phenotypic change are unclear. As ascorbic acid is central to many hydroxylation reactions, the possibility was examined that its pro-differentiating effects are mediated by its effects on collagen and vitamin D metabolite formation. In vitro studies indicated that ascorbic acid-induced chondrocyte alkaline phosphatase activity was inhibited by the addition of both collagen and proteoglycan synthesis inhibitors. The addition of arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD)-containing peptides also resulted in lower alkaline phosphatase activity. Chicks supplemented with dietary ascorbic acid had higher concentrations of both collagen and proteoglycans within their growth plates but the chondrocyte maturation rate was unaltered. No evidence was obtained to suggest that ascorbic acid-induced collagen production was mediated by lipid peroxidation. In addition, supplementation with dietary ascorbic acid resulted in higher serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations and increased chondrocyte vitamin D receptor number. Ascorbic acid-treated chondrocytes maintained in vitro also had increased vitamin D receptor numbers but chondrocyte receptor affinity for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 was unaltered. These results indicate that ascorbic acid promotes both chondrocyte matrix production and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 synthesis, accompanied by upregulation of the vitamin D receptor. Thus, ascorbic acid may be causing amplification of the vitamin D receptor-dependent genomic response to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, resulting in promotion of terminal differentiation. Strong evidence is provided to support the hypothesis that ascorbic acid-induced chondrocyte terminal differentiation is mediated by interactions between integrins and RGD-containing cartilage matrix proteins.

Cloning differentially regulated genes from chondrocytes using agarose gel differential display

The technique of RNA differential display has been used extensively to clone differentially expressed genes from a wide variety of cells and tissues. Recently, a simplified method of cloning differential display products, separated on agarose gels, was described. Here we report an adaption of this method, using total RNA, to clone differentially expressed genes. The approach is simple and rapid, and requires only small quantities of total RNA. Utilising this approach, we have cloned three differentially regulated genes from chondrocytes stimulated to hypertrophy in vitro, and confirmed their pattern of expression by Northern blotting. These gene fragments were sequenced and found to correspond to known genes, although only one has previously been isolated from chondrocytes.

Expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 in normal and dyschondroplastic articular growth cartilage of the young horse

This study describes the distribution pattern of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) mRNA and protein in normal pre- and post natal growth cartilage and alterations present in lesions of dyschondroplasia (osteochondrosis). TGF-beta 1 expression and immunoreactivity have been investigated by in situ hybridisation and immunolocalisation in the articular/epiphyseal growth cartilage of the lateral trochlear ridge of the distal femur. Cartilage was obtained from 19 normal Thoroughbred horses (5 prenatal and 14 post natal horses) and 15 post natal horses with dyschondroplasia (DCP). TGF-beta 1 mRNA expression and immunoreactivity were detected in the proliferative and upper hypertrophic zones in both pre- and post natal normal articular/epiphyseal cartilage. However, mRNA itself was only detected in the mid- and lower hypertrophic zones. Immunoreactivity was identified intracellularly with some nuclear staining observed. In focal lesions of DCP mRNA expression and immunoreactivity were reduced compared to normal cartilage, but strong mRNA expression was observed in the chondrocyte clusters immediately surrounding a lesion of DCP. The results described in this study demonstrate alterations in TGF-beta 1 dyschondroplastic lesions and indicate that it could be involved in the pathogenesis of this condition in the horse.

Effects of insulin and insulin-like growth factors I and II on the growth of equine fetal and neonatal chondrocytes

The effects of insulin and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) I and II on fetal and foal chondrocytes were investigated in vitro. Chondrocytes from the lateral trochlear ridge of the distal femur were obtained from 2 fetuses (280 and 320 days gestation) and one 4-day-old foal and cultured. Membrane proteins consistent with type 1 and type 2 IGF receptors were demonstrated by radioligand cross linking and equilibrium binding analysis. It was demonstrated that both IGF-I and IGF-II acted as mitogens for isolated equine chondrocytes when present as the sole mitogenic factor in monolayer culture. It was further shown that whereas insulin was able to promote the survival and expansion of cell populations of chondrocytes in culture there was significantly reduced mitogenic stimulation compared to the IGFs. These results suggest that the role of insulin in growth cartilage may be to promote chondrocyte survival, or to suppress differentiation/apoptosis. This supports the hypothesis that relative hyperinsulinaemia may be a contributory factor to equine dyschondroplasia (osteochondrosis). Understanding of contributory, and possibly triggering factors such as this may allow the development of modified methods of husbandry which minimise the risk of disease in populations with a known predisposition.

Equine dyschondroplasia (osteochondrosis)--histological findings and type VI collagen localization

This study describes (1) the histological appearance of dyschondroplasia, the primary lesion of osteochondrosis, in articular cartilage of the horse and (2) the localization of type VI collagen which is an important constituent of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Dyschondroplastic cartilage was identified on the basis of the presence of cartilage cores (i.e., cartilage extending into the subchondral bone) and confirmed with subsequent histological examination. Full-thickness cartilage samples from 57 horses were collected and paraffin embedded. Histological examination was used to examine the normal architecture of equine growth cartilage and to determine the presence of various pathological changes in dyschondroplastic lesions. Immunolocalization was used to identify type VI collagen in normal and dyschondroplastic lesions. The abnormalities observed in the dyschondroplastic cartilage fell into two groups. In Group A (n = 18) the lesions were associated with a disruption in the normal sequential transition of the chondrocytes through proliferation and maturation resulting in an accumulation of large numbers of small, rounded chondrocytes. A decrease in type VI collagen immunoreactivity compared with normal animals was detected except around chondrocyte clusters. Group B lesions (n = 9) were characterized by an alteration in the staining pattern of the mineralized cartilage and underlying bone. In these lesions type VI collagen immunoreactivity was increased. In both groups the presence of retained blood vessels, chondrocyte clusters, chondronecrosis and fissure formation was detected. These two histologically-distinct groups suggest that equine dyschondroplasia may be comprised of different pathological entities and that it is associated with alterations in the pattern of distribution of an ECM protein.

Immunolocalization of osteonectin in avian tibial dyschondroplastic cartilage

Osteonectin is an acidic calcium-binding protein found in cartilage, bone matrix, vascular endothelium, and areas of tissue repair. Using immunocytochemistry, osteonectin has been localized in all zones of the normal avian epiphyseal growth plate with notably high amounts in the hypertrophic zone. In the proximal portion of this zone the staining was intracellular, while in the distal calcifying portion of the hypertrophic zone staining was both intracellular and extracellular. Osteonectin was also detected in the growth plate associated with lesions of chickens with tibial dyschondroplasia (TD). Intense intracellular staining was observed in hypertrophic chondrocytes proximal to the lesion; staining was markedly diminished in the TD lesion; extracellular matrix was devoid of staining. Staining intensity was high along the peripheral edges of the lesion that were undergoing vascularization and resorption. This was the only area in the dysplastic cartilage where staining was observed in the extracellular matrix as well as intracellularly. Similar patterns were viewed in all TD lesions examined, whether they were spontaneous or induced by dietary treatments or genetic selection.

Distribution and quantification of pyridinium cross-links of collagen within the different maturational zones of the chick growth plate

In order to assess alterations in the collagen network during endochondral ossification the pyridinium cross-links of collagen were quantified in sequential transverse sections through the chick growth plate. This was accomplished using both morphological (alkaline phosphatase (ALP) histochemistry and collagen type X immunostaining) and analytical (HPLC) analyses. In articular cartilage, pyridinoline concentrations were maximal in the deep mature zones. In contrast, the proliferating chondrocyte zone of the growth plate had approximately a 10-fold greater pyridinoline cross-link concentration than the mature hypertrophic zone. Deoxypyridinoline was first found in the prehypertrophic zone of the growth plate cartilage that reacted positively for ALP activity but before collagen type X was detected. However, deoxypyridinoline concentrations were highest in the most differentiated regions of the growth plate where it was the principal pyridinium cross-link. In tibial dyschondroplasia, where chondrocyte differentiation is arrested in the prehypertrophic zone, higher concentrations of both cross-links were found with increasing distance down the lesion. We conclude that the decrease in pyridinoline cross-link concentration down the growth plate may be an essential adaptation (via increased collagenase activity and collagen turnover) of the matrix for vascular invasion and osteoclastic resorption to occur.

Growth plate chondrocyte vitamin D receptor number and affinity are reduced in avian tibial dyschondroplastic lesions

Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is a condition of rapidly growing poultry in which a mass of unmineralized cartilage extends distally from the tibiotarsal growth plate, leading to deformity and lameness. The lesion is characterized by the accumulation of prehypertrophic chondrocytes, probably because the maturing chondrocytes are unable to differentiate fully. The condition can be prevented by feeding 1,25-(OH)2D3. We have investigated the possibility that vitamin D receptors (VDR), through which 1,25-(OH)2D3 exerts its differentiating effects on chondrocytes, may be defective in TD birds. Chondrocytes were isolated from the proliferating and hypertrophic zones of normal tibiotarsi and from the proliferating zone and lesion of affected birds and receptors were characterized by Scatchard analysis. Results showed that, while cells from the proliferating zone in TD birds had normal receptors, those from the TD lesion had significantly lower numbers and affinity for 1,25-(OH)2D3 compared to all other zones. Lesion VDR had low affinity; Kd 83.9 +/- 20.6 pM compared to 30.0 +/- 2.8, 37.8 +/- 3.1, and 33.0 +/- 4.0 pM (p < 0.001), and low receptor number per cell, 920 +/- 74, compared to 1329 +/- 151, 1664 +/- 167, and 1360 +/- 104 (p < 0.01) in the normal proliferating, normal hypertrophic, and TD proliferating cells, respectively. These findings were confirmed by immunohistochemical localization of VDR in sections of normal and TD growth plates using monoclonal antibody 9A7 gamma. In normal growth plate, most cells were VDR positive with intense staining in the mature hypertrophic chondrocytes; in TD growth plates, proliferating zone cells stained well but signal was largely absent from chondrocytes in the lesion. Image analysis showed integrated nuclear staining density per cell of 168.2 +/- 36.9 arbitrary units in normal hypertrophic cartilage compared to 98.8 +/- 60.2 units in the top of the lesion and 2.2 +/- 2.0 units in the midlesion. We conclude that both numbers and affinity of VDR are reduced in TD and this may explain the failure of chondrocytes to differentiate to the mature form. The adverse consequences of defective receptors may be partly overcome by treatment with 1,25-(OH)2D3.