The molecular mechanisms of Perlecan for vascular invasion in growth plate development

• Project/Area Number: 21791418
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Orthopaedic surgery
• Research Institution: Juntendo University
• Principal Investigator: ISHIJIMA Muneaki Juntendo University, 医学部, 助教 (70365576)
• Project Period (FY): 2009 – 2010
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2010)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,290,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥990,000); Fiscal Year 2010: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000); Fiscal Year 2009: ¥2,730,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥630,000)
• Keywords: 骨・軟骨代謝学 / パールカン / ヘパラン硫酸プロテオグリカン / VEGF / 血管侵入 / 内軟骨性骨化

Research Abstract

Perlecan (Perl) is a heparin sulfate proteoglycan required for cartilage development. This study investigated the role of Perl for vascular invasion in growth plate development.While the vascular invasion was inhibited, VEGF expression was increased in Perl-/- growth plate. In organ culture experiment, the growth plate was expanded by the addition of FGF-FGFR inhibitor even though the absence of Perl.
These data indicate that Perl is essential for vascular invasion in growth plate development by not only modulating FGF signaling but also regulating VEGF function.