Chondrocyte-like cells in nucleus pulposus and articular chondrocytes have similar transcriptomic profiles and are paracrine-regulated by hedgehog from notochordal cells and subchondral bone.

ABSTRACT: Objective: The nucleus pulposus (NP) comprises notochordal NP cells (NCs) and chondrocyte-like NP cells (CLCs). Although morphological similarities between CLCs and chondrocytes have been reported, interactions between CLCs and NCs remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to clarify regulatory mechanisms of cells in the NP and chondrocytes. Design: We performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis of the articular cartilage (AC) and NP of three-year-old cynomolgus monkeys in which NCs were present. We then performed immunohistochemical analysis of NP and distal femur. We added sonic hedgehog (SHH) to primary chondrocyte culture. Results: The scRNA-seq analysis revealed that CLCs and some articular chondrocytes had similar gene expression profiles, particularl

SUBMITTER: Hagizawa H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10225674 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature