Age-related alterations of articular cartilage in pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) gene-deficient mice.

ABSTRACT: Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is an evolutionarly conserved neuropeptide which is produced by various neuronal and non-neuronal cells, including cartilage and bone cells. PACAP has trophic functions in tissue development, and it also plays a role in cellular and tissue aging. PACAP takes part in the regulation of chondrogenesis, which prevents insufficient cartilage formation caused by oxidative and mechanical stress. PACAP knockout (KO) mice have been shown to display early aging signs affecting several organs. In the present work, we investigated articular cartilage of knee joints in young and aged wild-type (WT) and PACAP KO mice. A significant increase in the thickness of articular cartilage was detected in aged PACAP gene-deficient mice. Amongst PACAP rece

SUBMITTER: Szegeczki V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6925077 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature