Analysis of molecular mechanisms in disk formation and homeostasis

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24659669
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Orthopaedic surgery
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• Principal Investigator: HIROSHI Asahara 東京医科歯科大学, 大学院医歯学総合研究科, 教授 (70294460)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: Mohawk / 椎間板 / 腱 / 靭帯

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have identified the transcription factor Mkx, that is expressed in tendon/ligament and plays a important role in tendon formation. The Mkx is also expressed in annulus fibrosus of intervertebral disc. The aged Mkx knockout mice showed degeneration of annulus fibrosus. Tendon markers, such as SCX and TNMD were reduced by MKX knockdown in human annulus fibroblasts whereas SOX9, a master chondrogenesis regulator, was upregulated. Moreover, overexpression of Mkx in C3H10T1/2 cells promoted the expressions of tendon markers, and chondrogenesis and osteogenesis were inhibited.

Free Research Field

システム発生・再生医学分野