Up regulation of cathepsin K expression in articular chondrocytes in a transgenic mouse model for osteoarthritis.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To study the expression of cysteine proteinases, particularly cathepsin K, and their extracellular inhibitor cystatin C in articular cartilage of transgenic Del1 mice which harbour a short deletion mutation in a type II collagen transgene and are predisposed to early onset osteoarthritis.

Methods

Northern analysis was used to measure mRNA levels of cathepsins B, H, K, L, and S, and cystatin C in total RNA extracted from knee joints of Del1 mice, using their non-transgenic litter mates as controls. Immunohistochemistry and morphometry was used to study the distribution of cathepsin K and cystatin C in the knee joints.

Results

Up regulation of cathepsin K mRNA expression was seen in the knee joints of transgenic Del1 mice at the onset of cartilage degeneratio

SUBMITTER: Morko JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1755014 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature