What are the main types of cartilage?
What is the function of Haline?
What is the only cell that is found in the matrix of cartilage?
chondrocyte
What are the two key components found in articular cartilage and what is their function?
important for strength and support
What is the role of PG in cartilage?
PG are highly charged = attract water and form a hydrated gel
Why are PG highly charged?
due to GAG content
What are the characteristics of chondrocytes?
What are the characteristics of the ECM where chondrocytes are found?
What are the key transcriptional factors that MSC have to differentiate into chondrocytes?
What is the role of Sox-9?
induce Sox-9 to form a chondroycte and start making cartilage
How does spatial patterning of chondrocytes in bone formation occur?
orchestrated by morphogens via inductive signaling
What does inductive signalling require?
How do IHH and PTHrP interact?
via positive feedback loops that maintain spatial chondrocyte proliferation
What makes cartilage more rigid?
hydroxyapatite with calcium makes the cartilage more rigid = rigidity expands = bone formation
What is the role of chondrocytes that keep receiving the PTHrP signal?
move to the top of the bone and keep receiving their signalling and forming cartilage only at the top of the bone
What are the key ECM breakdown events in osteoarthritis?
What is MMP-13?
a collagenase
What are the genetics of OA?
*GDF5 growth factor member of TGF-b family important in ECM homeostasis
*RUNX2 (6p 21.1) master transcription factor responsible for driving endochondrial ossification including MMP-13 expression
*PTHLH (12p 11.22) encodes PTHrP chondrocyte growth factor driven by IHH secretion
*SMAD3 intracellular signaling protein involved in TGF-b production
What is Rhemuatoid arthritis?
Characterised by inflammation of the synovium
progressive loss of ECM and chondrogenic phenotype in articular cartilage due to immune cell-mediated damage (genetic linkage to MHC; HLA-DR4 in particular)
What receptors activate signal transduction pathways resulting indirectly in the opening of ion channels?
What receptors does acetylcholine bind to?
What molecules are part of G-protein coupled receptor signalling?
What is the order of proteins involved in the signal transduction of a G-protein coupled receptor?
What are the 3 key stages of signal transduction?