Decorin Promotes Nascent Proteoglycan Retention in Cartilage Matrix by Strengthening Collagen II-Aggrecan Integration.

ABSTRACT: Cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM), a hydrated collagen II-aggrecan composite, undergoes dynamic turnover during both normal homeostasis and disease-associated remodeling. This study elucidates a crucial role for decorin in promoting the retention and stability of nascent aggrecan within this matrix. By applying bio-orthogonal click-labeling, we demonstrate that loss of decorin accelerates the release of nascent aggrecan under both physiological and inflammatory conditions, without affecting its preferred localization to the pericellular matrix. Conversely, supplementation with exogenous decorin mitigates inflammation-induced loss of nascent aggrecan, supporting its potential as a therapeutic target. At the molecular level, decorin exhibits strong binding affinity for aggrecan, and enhan

SUBMITTER: Li T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12642626 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature