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Immunolocalisation and expression of proteoglycan 4 (cartilage superficial zone proteoglycan) in tendon.

Cartilage superficial zone protein/proteoglycan (SZP) or proteoglycan 4 (PRG4), has been demonstrated to have the potential for several distinct biological functions including cytoprotection, lubrication and matrix binding. In the present study, we have examined both the immunolocalisation and the mRNA expression pattern of PRG4 in tissue harvested from the compressed and tensional regions of young and mature bovine tendons. Immunohistochemical analyses, utilizing monoclonal antibody 3-A-4 which recognizes a conformational-dependent epitope on native PRG4, demonstrated that PRG4 is present predominantly at the surface of fibrocartilaginous regions of tendon, with the intensity of immunoreactivity in this region increasing with age. RT-PCR analyses revealed that the expression of PRG4 mRNA can be modulated by exposure to cytokines and growth factors. In addition, analyses of human pathological tendon revealed that PRG4 may also be expressed as an alternatively spliced form lacking exons which encode part of the N-terminal matrix-binding and cell-proliferative domain; however, it remains to be determined whether such splice variants are a feature of human tendon, regardless of disease state. Taken together, these data indicate that PRG4 may play an important cytoprotective role by preventing cellular adhesion to the tendon surface as well as providing lubrication during normal tendon function, in a manner complimentary to cartilage PRG4. Structural modifications to SZP, together with a reduction in synthesis during tendon inflammation with injury and disease may account for the formation of tendon adhesions and contribute to the overall dysfunction of the tissue.

Animals↗

Isolation, characterization and mapping of the mouse and human PRG4 (proteoglycan 4) genes.

PRG4 (proteoglycan 4) has been identified as megakaryocyte stimulating factor and articular superficial zone protein. PRG4 has characteristic motifs including somatomedin B and hemopexin domains, a chondroitin sulfate-attachment site and mucin-like repeats. During a screen of genes implicated in ectopic ossification, we found a novel mouse gene highly homologous to human and bovine PRG4 genes. Here, we report isolation, characterization and mapping of the gene, Prg4 together with characterization of its human orthologue. Prg4 cDNA was 3,320 bp long, encoding a 1,054 amino-acid protein. Human and mouse PRG4 genes each consisting of 12 exons spanned 18 and 16 kb, respectively. Characteristic motifs were conserved across species; however, the mucin-like repeat regions were highly diverse in length between species with a tendency that larger animals had longer repeats. Expression of human and mouse PRG4 genes was similar and found not only in cartilage, but also in liver, heart, lung, and bone. Expression of the mouse gene increased with progression of ectopic ossification. Multiple tissue-specific splicing variants lacking some of the motifs were found in both human and mouse. Although a specific role in the articular joint has previously been reported, the presence of multi-functional motifs as well as unique expression and alternative splicing patterns suggest that PRG4 functions in several distinctive biological process including regulation of ossification.

Alternative Splicing↗

Proteoglycan 4 downregulation in a sheep meniscectomy model of early osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a disease of multifactorial aetiology characterised by progressive breakdown of articular cartilage. In the early stages of the disease, changes become apparent in the superficial zone of articular cartilage, including fibrillation and fissuring. Normally, a monolayer of lubricating molecules is adsorbed on the surface of cartilage and contributes to the minimal friction and wear properties of synovial joints. Proteoglycan 4 is the lubricating glycoprotein believed to be primarily responsible for this boundary lubrication. Here we have used an established ovine meniscectomy model of osteoarthritis, in which typical degenerative changes are observed in the operated knee joints at three months after surgery, to evaluate alterations in proteoglycan 4 expression and localisation in the early phases of the disease. In normal control joints, proteoglycan 4 was immunolocalised in the superficial zone of cartilage, particularly in those regions of the knee joint covered by a meniscus. After the onset of early osteoarthritis, we demonstrated a loss of cellular proteoglycan 4 immunostaining in degenerative articular cartilage, accompanied by a significant (p < 0.01) decrease in corresponding mRNA levels. Early loss of proteoglycan 4 from the cartilage surface in association with a decrease in its expression by superficial-zone chondrocytes might have a role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.

Animals↗

Proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) synthesis and immunolocalization in bovine meniscus.

Proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) is synthesized and secreted into the synovial fluid by articular chondrocytes and synovial cells, lining the cavity of joints. A thin layer of PRG4 is also present at the articular surface, where it appears to be involved in boundary lubrication. This study investigated if PRG4 is also synthesized and secreted by the cells within meniscus, and if PRG4 is also present in, and at the surface of, meniscus. PRG4 was visualized in sections of bovine calf menisci by immunohistochemistry. PRG4 was detected in two regions: (1) at the femoral and tibial surfaces of the meniscus, and within cells below these surfaces; and (2) within and near cells along the radial tie fibers and circumferential fibers. From meniscus tissue harvested from these surfaces, PRG4 was extracted with 4M GuHCl and quantified by ELISA. There was 0.20 +/- 0.01 and 0.25 +/- 0.04 microg PRG4/cm(2) area of lateral and medial meniscus surface, respectively. ELISA analysis of spent medium from other samples of meniscus surface tissue incubated in medium supplemented with serum and ascorbate showed that 8.1 +/- 1.1 microg PRG4/cm(2) area of meniscus surface was secreted over six days. These results demonstrate that PRG4 is synthesized and secreted by certain cell populations in the meniscus, and that PRG4 is present in the meniscus at surfaces and also internal fibers where it may contribute to boundary lubrication.

Animals↗

Synthesis of proteoglycan 4 by chondrocyte subpopulations in cartilage explants, monolayer cultures, and resurfaced cartilage cultures.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the levels of proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) expression by subpopulations of chondrocytes from superficial, middle, and deep layers of normal bovine calf cartilage in various culture systems. METHODS: Bovine calf articular cartilage discs or isolated cells were used in 1 of 3 systems of chondrocyte culture: explant, monolayer, or transplant, for 1-9 days. PRG4 expression was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of spent medium and localized by immunohistochemistry at the articular surface and within chondrocytes in explants and cultured cells. RESULTS: Superficial chondrocytes secreted much more PRG4 than did middle and deep chondrocytes in all cultures. The pattern of PRG4 secretion into superficial culture medium varied with the duration of culture, decreasing with time in explant culture (from approximately 25 microg/cm(2)/day on days 0-1 to approximately 3 microg/cm(2)/day on days 5-9), while increasing in monolayer culture (from approximately 1 pg/cell/day on days 0-1 to approximately 7 pg/cell/day on days 7-9) and tending to increase in transplant culture (reaching approximately 2 microg/cm(2)/day by days 7-9). In all of the culture systems, inclusion of ascorbic acid stimulated PRG4 secretion, and the source of PRG4 was immunolocalized to superficial cells. CONCLUSION: The results described here indicate that the phenotype of PRG4 secretion by chondrocytes in culture is generally maintained, in that PRG4 is expressed to a much greater degree by chondrocytes from the superficial zone than by those from the middle and deep zones. The marked up-regulation of PRG4 synthesis by ascorbic acid may have implications for cartilage homeostasis and prevention of osteoarthritic disease. Transplanting specialized cells that secrete PRG4 to a surface may impart functional lubrication and be generally applicable to many tissues in the body.

Animals↗

Tailoring secretion of proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) in tissue-engineered cartilage.

Articular cartilage provides a low-friction surface for joint articulation, with boundary lubrication facilitated by proteoglycan 4 (PRG4), which is secreted by chondrocytes of the superficial zone. Chondrocytes from different zones are phenotypically distinct, and their phenotypes in vitro are influenced by the system in which they are cultured. We hypothesized that culturing cells from the superficial (S) zone in two-dimensional monolayer or three-dimensional alginate would affect their synthesis of PRG4, and that subsequently seeding them atop alginate-recovered cells from the middle/ deep (M) zone in various proportions would result in tissue-engineered constructs with varying levels of PRG4 secretion and matrix accumulation. During monolayer culture, S cells retained their PRG4-secreting phenotype, whereas in alginate culture the percentage of cells secreting PRG4 decreased with time. Constructs formed with increasing percentages of S cells decreased in thickness and matrix accumulation, depending on both the culture conditions before construct formation and the S-cell density. PRG4-secreting cells were localized to the S-cell seeded construct surface, with secretion rates of 0.1-4 pg/cell/day or 0.1-1 pg/cell/day for constructs formed with monolayer-recovered or alginate-recovered S cells, respectively. Tailoring secretion of PRG4 in cartilage constructs may be useful for enhancing low-friction properties at the articular surface, while maintaining other surfaces free of PRG4 for enhancing integration with surrounding tissues.

Animals↗

Inhibition of integrative cartilage repair by proteoglycan 4 in synovial fluid.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of the articular cartilage surface, as well as synovial fluid (SF) and its components, specifically proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) and hyaluronic acid (HA), on integrative cartilage repair in vitro. METHODS: Blocks of calf articular cartilage were harvested, some with the articular surface intact and others without. Some of the latter types of blocks were pretreated with trypsin, and then with bovine serum albumin, SF, PRG4, or HA. Immunolocalization of PRG4 on cartilage surfaces was performed after treatment. Pairs of similarly treated cartilage blocks were incubated in partial apposition for 2 weeks in medium supplemented with serum and (3)H-proline. Following culture, mechanical integration between apposed cartilage blocks was assessed by measuring adhesive strength, and protein biosynthesis and deposition were determined by incorporated (3)H-proline. RESULTS: Samples with articular surfaces in apposition exhibited little integrative repair compared with samples with cut surfaces in apposition. PRG4 was immunolocalized at the articular cartilage surface, but not in deeper, cut surfaces (without treatment). Cartilage samples treated with trypsin and then with SF or PRG4 exhibited an inhibition of integrative repair and positive immunostaining for PRG4 at treated surfaces compared with normal cut cartilage samples, while samples treated with HA exhibited neither inhibited integrative repair nor PRG4 at the tissue surfaces. Deposition of newly synthesized protein was relatively similar under conditions in which integration differed significantly. CONCLUSION: These results support the concept that PRG4 in SF, which normally contributes to cartilage lubrication, can inhibit integrative cartilage repair. This has the desirable effect of preventing fusion of apposing surfaces of articulating cartilage, but has the undesirable effect of inhibiting integrative repair.

Animals↗

Dynamic shear stimulation of bovine cartilage biosynthesis of proteoglycan 4.

OBJECTIVE: The boundary lubrication function of articular cartilage is mediated in part by proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) molecules at the articular surface and in synovial fluid. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dynamic shear stimulation on PRG4 biosynthesis by bovine cartilage explants. METHODS: Cartilage disks with intact articular surfaces were harvested from immature bovines. Some disks were subjected to 24 hours (day 1) of loading, consisting of a step load of 20% static compression either alone or with superimposed dynamic shear (3% amplitude and 0.1 Hz), while other disks were cultured free-swelling as controls. After the 24-hour loading period, disks were terminated or were further incubated for up to 72 hours (days 2-4) in free-swelling culture to assess chondrocyte responses to, and following, unloading. PRG4 products secreted into culture medium were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and characterized by Western blotting. Chondrocytes expressing PRG4 were localized by immunohistochemistry, and depth-associated variations in chondrocyte PRG4 expression were quantified by image analysis. RESULTS: Dynamic shear stimulation increased PRG4 secretion to 3-4 times that of unloaded controls and statically compressed samples. Sheared cartilage secreted more PRG4 of 345 kd relative to smaller molecular weight species, as compared with unloaded controls. Immunohistochemistry revealed that shear stimulation also increased the total number of cells expressing PRG4 by inducing expression by cells at a depth of 200-400 microm. CONCLUSION: The paradigm that certain mechanical stimuli up-regulate biosynthesis in cartilage appears operative not only for load-bearing matrix constituents, but also for PRG4 molecules that mediate lubrication.

Animals↗

Tracking chondrocytes and assessing their proliferation with PKH26: effects on secretion of proteoglycan 4 (PRG4).

Distinguishing between implanted and host-derived cells, as well as between distinct cell phenotypes, would be useful in assessing the mechanisms of cell-based repair of cartilage. The fluorescent tracker dye, PKH26, was previously applied to several cell types to assess proliferation in vitro and to track cells in vivo. The objectives of this study were to assess the utility of PKH26 for tracking chondrocytes from superficial and middle zones and their proliferation, and determine the effects of PKH26 on chondrocyte functions, in particular, proliferation and secretion of Proteoglycan 4 (PRG4). PKH26-labeled and unlabeled superficial and middle zone chondrocytes were plated in either low- or high-density monolayer culture and analyzed for retention of PKH26 by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy at days 0 and 7. Cell suspensions and conditioned media were analyzed for DNA and secretion of PRG4, respectively. Flow cytometric histograms were deconvolved so that the number of cells in each doubling generation contributing to the final cell population could be estimated. Chondrocytes were consistently and intensely labeled with PKH26 through 7 cycles of division. At day 7 of culture, >97% of superficial zone cells seeded at low or high density could be distinguished as fluorescent, as could middle zone cells seeded at high density. Retention of cell fluorescence after PKH26 labeling and lack of adverse effects on cell proliferation and synthesis of PRG4 suggest that PKH26 can be useful in determining the fate and function of implanted chondrocytes in vivo, as well as monitoring proliferation in vitro.

Animals↗

Static and dynamic compression regulate cartilage metabolism of PRoteoGlycan 4 (PRG4).

The boundary lubrication function of articular cartilage is mediated in part by molecules at the articular surface and in synovial fluid, encoded by Prg4. The objective of this study was to determine whether static and dynamic compression regulate PRG4 biosynthesis by cartilage explants. Articular cartilage disks were harvested to include the articular surface from immature bovines. Some disks were subjected to 24 h (day 1) of loading, followed by 72 h (days 2-4) of free-swelling culture to assess chondrocyte responses following unloading. Loading consisted of 6 or 100 kPa of static compression, with or without superimposed dynamic compression (10 or 300 kPa peak amplitude, 0.01 Hz). Other disks were cultured free-swelling as controls. PRG4 secretion into culture medium was inhibited by all compression protocols during day 1. Following unloading, cartilage previously subjected to dynamic compression to 300 kPa exhibited a rebound effect, secreting more PRG4 than did controls, while cartilage previously subjected to 100 kPa static loading secreted less PRG4. Immunohistochemistry revealed that all compression protocols also affected the number of cells expressing PRG4. The paradigm that mechanical stimuli regulate biosynthesis in cartilage appears operative not only for load bearing matrix constituents, but also for PRG4 molecules mediating lubrication.

Animals↗

Structural studies on sulfated glycopeptides from the carbohydrate-protein linkage region of chondroitin 4-sulfate proteoglycans of swarm rat chondrosarcoma. Demonstration of the structure Gal(4-O-sulfate)beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4XYL beta 1-O-Ser.

Nonsulfated, monosulfated, and disulfated glycopeptides containing the entire carbohydrate sequence of the glycosaminoglycan-specific linkage region were isolated after exhaustive enzymatic digestions of Swarm rat chondrosarcoma proteoglycans with chondroitinase ABC, papain, and Pronase. Their structures were examined by 500 MHz 1H NMR spectroscopy. The nonsulfated compound has the following structure with trace amounts of a few additional amino acids: delta 4,5-GlcA beta 1-3GalNAc beta 1-4GlcA beta 1-3Gal beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Xyl beta 1-O-Ser. The monosulfated compound has an ester sulfate on C-4 of the GalNAc residue and the disulfated compound has an additional hitherto unrecognized ester sulfate on C-4 of the second galactose residue which is remote from the innermost xylose. This new structure was confirmed by two-dimensional homonuclear Hartmann-Hahn spectroscopy. The molar ratio of the isolated nonsulfated, monosulfated, and disulfated compounds was 53:37:10 based on the serine contents. Biological significance of the newly found sulfated linkage structure is discussed.

Animals↗

Reactivity patterns of synovial T-cell lines derived from a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. I. Reactions with defined antigens and auto-antigens suggest the existence of multireactive T-cell clones.

The functional T-cell repertoire in the inflamed joint of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis was analysed at the clonal level. Using limiting dilution techniques and selecting for growth of in vivo activated and/or autoreactive T cells, 149 T-cell lines were established. They were tested in a proliferation assay for reactivity against an autologous Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B-cell line and a panel of auto-antigens and foreign antigens. Seventy-five lines (approximately 50%) could be stimulated. Thirty-six lines (approximately 24%) were antigen-reactive. They were stimulated by human collagens type I (15), II (10), IV (7) or V (4), cartilage proteoglycans (4), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (15), the 60 kDa heat-shock protein of M. bovis (13) or tetanus toxoid (10). T-cell lines were either monoreactive (19), bireactive (6), or multireactive (11), i.e. they were stimulated by either one, by two, or by more antigens in the panel. About half of the antigen-reactive lines were at the same time autoreactive towards the autologous B-cell line. These data suggest the existence of multispecific autoreactive T-cell receptors comparable to multireactive or natural autoantibodies and prove the presence of autoantigen-reactive T cells in the inflamed joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Antigens↗

Chondroitin 4-sulfate proteoglycan forms an extracellular network in human and rat central nervous system.

Chondroitin 4-sulfate proteoglycan (C4S-PG) was localized both in rat and human central nervous system (CNS) by monoclonal and polyclonal antisera recognizing the 4-sulfate disaccharide (C4S). In the rat the whole CNS was studied in serial coronal sections. A positive extracellular meshwork was observed both in white and grey matters. In the white matter (WM) C4S-PG formed a network around myelinated axons, sparing myelin sheaths and axoplasms. The neuropil of the grey matter (GM) showed a positive meshwork constituted by delicate intermingling filaments. The cytoplasms of neuronal, glial and endothelial cells were negative. Stronger straining than in the neuropil was observed around the soma and the proximal part of the cell processes of some neurons located in the cortex, in the deep cerebellar nuclei and in some other CNS nuclei. A similar pattern was also observed in human CNS, the only difference being a smaller amount of cortical neurons surrounded by a rim of C4S-PG. This study shows that a PG bearing C4S disaccharide is located extracellularly in the rodent and human CNS and that C4S disaccharides can be present in different types of CNS proteoglycans (PGs).

Aged↗

Proteoglycan carrier of human platelet factor 4. Isolation and characterization.

A large scale purification procedure for the human platelet factor 4 proteoglycan carrier molecule has been developed. A yield of 46% and a 33,000-fold purification have been achieved, using poly-L-lysine-Sepharose affinity column chromatography, PF4-agarose affinity column chromatography, and Bio-Gel A-0.5m gel filtration. The purified proteoglycan migrates as a single band during electrophoresis on cellulose acetate strips. A single symmetric peak was observed in sedimentation velocity analysis with an s value of 2.85. The molecular weight of the proteoglycan was determined to be 53,000 by sedimentation equilibrium. The purified proteoglycan contains 32% uronic acid, 31% galactosamine, 6.1% sulfate, and 9.9% protein. Aspartic acid, glutamic acid, leucine, glycine, and serine account for 55% of the total amino acids. The chondroitinase AC digest of the proteoglycan is sensitive to hydrolysis by chondro-4-sulfatase but not by chondro-6-sulfatase, indicating the presence of chondroitin 4-sulfate but not chondroitin 6-sulfate in the proteoglycan molecule. The interaction between this proteoglycan carrier of human PF4 and PF4 is strongly ionic strength-dependent. 0.3 M NaCl is required to dissociate the proteoglycan PF4 complex.

Amino Acids↗

The C1q inhibitor in serum is a chondroitin 4-sulfate proteoglycan.

An inhibitor of human C1q has been purified from serum and identified as a chondroitin 4-sulfate proteoglycan. A typical preparation contained 22% uronic acid, 20% hexosamine, 12% sulfate, and 9% protein. When chromatographed on Sepharose CL-2B, the proteoglycan was eluted as a broad peak with a mean Kav of 0.6, which indicates that it is polydisperse and has an average Mr = approximately 175,000 (range, 45,000-750,000). Unlike the major species of cartilage proteoglycans, the serum proteoglycan did not form a complex with hyaluronic acid. Additional evidence for the noncartilaginous origin of C1q inhibitor is that its glycosaminoglycan chains totally lack chondroitin 6-sulfate isomers. Furthermore, the glycosaminoglycan component of C1q inhibitor was eluted from Sepharose CL-6B with a Kav of 0.52, indicating that these polysaccharide chains are considerably larger than those of human articular cartilage proteoglycan. The interaction between the proteoglycan and C1q was clearly evident in 0.15 M NaCl, as demonstrated by a radial immunodiffusion technique. The interaction decreased with increasing ionic strength but was not entirely abolished even at 0.3 M NaCl. These findings suggest that the interaction between C1q and the C1q inhibitor may occur under physiological conditions and may be of importance in modulating C1q activity in vivo.

Amino Acids↗

Effect of IGFBP-derived peptides on incorporation of(35)SO(4)into proteoglycans.

18 amino acid peptides from the C-terminal region of IGFBP-3, -5 (P3, P5), increased the incorporation of(35)SO(4)into proteoglycans in endothelial cells with greater stimulation in large vessel than microvessel cells. The homologous region of IGFBP-6 (P6) also stimulated sulfate uptake, but less potently than P3 and P5. P6 variants were synthesized with one or two amino acids changed to the basic amino acid in the equivalent position of P3. The P6 variants with one additional basic amino acid behaved similarly to P6. The P6 mutant with two altered amino acids was equipotent to P3. P3F, a scrambled version of P3 was less effective than P3. P3, P5, P6, P3F and all P6 variants all stimulated glucose uptake, which occurred only in microvessel cells. P1, P2, P4, and equimolar intact IGFBP-3 stimulated neither glucose uptake nor sulfate incorporation. Thus, C-terminal basic portions of IGFBP-3, -5 and -6 alter two specific functions of endothelial cells with sufficient differences to suggest mediation by distinct mechanisms.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine and dexamethasone stimulates cell-associated and soluble chondroitin 4-sulfate proteoglycans.

The proteoglycans (cell-associated and culture media) in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in culture were analyzed before and during differentiation into adipocytes. Cells were metabolically labeled with [35S]sulfate and [3H] glucosamine for 24 h and then extracted and analyzed. There was a 1.68 +/- 0.07-fold increase in the 35S in medium proteoglycan during differentiation, whereas cell-associated proteoglycan radioactivity showed no increase. Analyses of radiolabeled molecules using ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration, and high performance liquid chromatography after enzymatic or alkaline digestion indicated that all of the 35S label was recovered as two major species of chondroitin 4-sulfate proteoglycans (CSPG-I and CSPG-II) and 7% as heparan sulfate proteoglycan. CSPG-I has a mass of approximately 970 kDa with multiple chondroitin sulfate chains (average of 50 kDa each) and a core protein of approximately 370 kDa including oligosaccharides. CSPG-II has a mass of 140 kDa with one or two chondroitin sulfate chains (average of 68 kDa each) and a core protein of 41 kDa including oligosaccharides. CSPG-I appears to be similar to versican, whereas CSPG-II is similar to decorin and/or biglycan, found in other fibroblastic cells. Cell differentiation was associated with a specific increase in CSPG-I (4.0 +/- 0.2-fold in media and 3.2 +/- 0.5-fold in the cell-associated form). This system should facilitate study of the functional roles of proteoglycans during growth and differentiation.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗