Sorting of Growth Plate Chondrocytes Allows the Isolation and Characterization of Cells of a Defined Differentiation Status

作者:Belluoccio Daniele; Etich Julia; Rosenbaum Sabrina; Frie Christian; Grskovic Ivan; Stermann Jacek; Ehlen Harald; Vogel Simon; Zaucke Frank; von der Mark Klaus; Bateman John F; Brachvogel Bent*
来源:Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 2010, 25(6): 1267-1281.
DOI:10.1002/jbmr.30

摘要

Axial growth of long bones occurs through a coordinated process of growth plate chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation. This maturation of chondrocytes is reflected in a zonal change in gene expression and cell morphology from resting to proliferative, prehypertrophic, and hypertrophic chondrocytes of the growth plate followed by ossification. A major experimental limitation in understanding growth plate biology and pathophysiology is the lack of a robust technique to isolate cells from the different zones, particularly from small animals. Here, we report on a new strategy for separating distinct chondrocyte populations from mouse growth plates. By transcriptome profiling of microdissected zones of growth plates, we identified novel, zone-specific cell surface markers and used these for flow cytometry and immunomagnetic cell separation to quantify, enrich, and characterize chondrocytes populations with respect to their differentiation status. This approach provides a novel platform to study cartilage development and characterize mouse growth plate chondrocytes to reveal unique cellular phenotypes of the distinct subpopulations within the growth plate.

  • 出版日期2010-6