Cartilage-selective genes identified in genome-scale analysis of non-cartilage and cartilage gene expression.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cartilage plays a fundamental role in the development of the human skeleton. Early in embryogenesis, mesenchymal cells condense and differentiate into chondrocytes to shape the early skeleton. Subsequently, the cartilage anlagen differentiate to form the growth plates, which are responsible for linear bone growth, and the articular chondrocytes, which facilitate joint function. However, despite the multiplicity of roles of cartilage during human fetal life, surprisingly little is known about its transcriptome. To address this, a whole genome microarray expression profile was generated using RNA isolated from 18-22 week human distal femur fetal cartilage and compared with a database of control normal human tissues aggregated at UCLA, termed Celsius.

Results

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SUBMITTER: Funari VA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1906768 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature