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The role of Alk-1 and Alk-5 in the mechanosensing of chondrocytes

Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters volume 19, pages 659–674 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

We aim to demonstrate the role of Alk receptors in the response of hydrogel expansion. Chondrocytes from rat knees were cultured onto plastic and hydrogel surfaces. Alk-1 and Alk-5 were overexpressed or silenced and the effects on cells during expansion were tested and confirmed using peptide inhibitors for TGFβ. Overexpression of Alk-5 and silencing of Alk-1 led to a loss of the chondrocyte phenotype, proving that they are key regulators of chondrocyte mechanosensing. An analysis of the gene expression profile during the expansion of these modified cartilage cells in plastic showed a better maintenance of the chondrocyte phenotype, at least during the first passages. These passages were also assayed in a mouse model of intramuscular chondrogenesis. Our findings indicate that these two receptors are important mediators in the response of chondrocytes to changes in the mechanical environment, making them suitable targets for modulating chondrogenesis. Inhibition of TGFβ could also be effective in improving chondrocyte activity in aged or expanded cells that overexpress Alk-1.

Abbreviations

Alk-1:

activin receptor-like kinase 1

Alk-5:

activin receptor-like kinase 5

FGFR3:

fibroblast growth factor receptor 3

FA:

focal adhesions

MSCs:

mesenchymal stem cells

OA:

osteoarthritis

TGFβ:

transforming growth factor β

Col2:

type II collagen

Col1:

type I collagen

Col10:

type X collagen

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Orthopaedic Research, University of Navarra, School of Medicine, Pamplona, Spain

    Patricia Sanz-Ramos & Iñigo Izal-Azcárate

  2. DIGNA Biotech, Pamplona, Spain

    Javier Dotor

Authors
  1. Patricia Sanz-Ramos
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  2. Javier Dotor
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  3. Iñigo Izal-Azcárate
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Correspondence to Iñigo Izal-Azcárate.

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Sanz-Ramos, P., Dotor, J. & Izal-Azcárate, I. The role of Alk-1 and Alk-5 in the mechanosensing of chondrocytes. Cell Mol Biol Lett 19, 659–674 (2014). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11658-014-0220-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11658-014-0220-6

Keywords

Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters

ISSN: 1689-1392

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