Abstract
IntroductionThis study aimed to characterize the glycophenotype of osteoarthritic cartilage and human chondrocytes.MethodsArticular knee cartilage was obtained from nine osteoarthritis (OA) patients. mRNA levels for 27 glycosyltransferases were analyzed in OA chondrocytes using RT-qPCR. Additionally, N- and O-glycans were quantified using mass-spectrometry. Histologically, two cartilage areas with Mankin scores (MS) either ≤4 or ≥9 were selected from each patient representing areas of mild and severe OA, respectively. Tissue sections were stained with (1) a selected panel of plant lectins for probing into the OA glycophenotype, (2) the human lectins galectins-1 and -3, and (3) the glycoprotein asialofetuin (ASF) for visualizing β-galactoside-specific endogenous lectins.ResultsWe found that OA chondrocytes expressed oligomannosidic structures as well as non-, mono- and disialylated complex-type N-glycans, and core 2 O-glycans. Reflecting B4GALNT3 mRNA presence in OA chondrocytes, LacdiNAc-terminated structures were detected. Staining profiles for plant and human lectins were dependent on the grade of cartilage degeneration, and ASF-positive cells were observed in significantly higher rates in areas of severe degeneration.ConclusionsIn summary, distinct aspects of the glycome in OA cartilage are altered with progressing degeneration. In particular, the alterations measured by galectin-3 and the pan-galectin sensor ASF encourage detailed studies of galectin functionality in OA.
Highlights
This study aimed to characterize the glycophenotype of osteoarthritic cartilage and human chondrocytes
We have focused on the characterization of glycan expression of immortalized human chondrocytes and cells from primary cultures [15,16]
The present work was designed to test the hypothesis that the glycosylation signature of chondrocytes and extracellular matrix is affected in OA cartilage in vivo during disease progression
Summary
This study aimed to characterize the glycophenotype of osteoarthritic cartilage and human chondrocytes. The present work was designed to test the hypothesis that the glycosylation signature of chondrocytes and extracellular matrix is affected in OA cartilage in vivo during disease progression. In addition to the plant lectins listed, we tested human lectins as probes, with the intention of defining chondrocyte reactivity for galectins, known to be endogenous adhesion/ growth-regulatory effectors on the cell surface and intracellularly [19]. When labeled, these probes enable the delineation of the status and any alterations of cellular
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
