2011 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

Role of Sulf in Cartilage Metabolism

Research Project

Project/Area Number	22890217
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
Allocation Type	Single-year Grants
Research Field	Orthopaedic surgery
Research Institution	Osaka Medical College
Principal Investigator	OTSUKI Shuhei 大阪医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (20589840)
Project Period (FY)	2010 – 2011
Keywords	Sulf / ヘパラン硫酸 / 加齢 / 変形性関節症 / 軟骨
Research Abstract	Abnormally increased mechanical load due to varus deformity is associated with cartilage degradation in the medial condyle. Interestingly, the tissue damage caused by mechanical stress activates a cellular response that leads to proliferation of STRO-1positive progenitor cells and cluster formation. On the other hand, thick non-degenerated cartilage in the lateral compartment that experiences reduced load due to varus deformity shows low-density single chondrocytes that appear to have reduced proliferative and biosynthetic activity. Appropriate mechanical stress appears critical for maintaining cartilage homeostasis and early restoration of normal mechanical load in both compartments of the knee may prevent cell and tissue damage.

(1 results)