Huch Klaus, Kleffner Sandra, Stöve Johannes, Puhl Wolfhart, Günther Klaus-Peter, Brenner Rolf Erwin
Department of Orthopaedics, University of Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 45, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
Histochem Cell Biol. 2003 Apr;119(4):281-7. doi: 10.1007/s00418-003-0519-2. Epub 2003 Apr 12.
To elucidate the process of endochondral ossification in human osteophytes we have studied the expression of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), its receptor (PTHr), and fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3). Osteophytes from patients undergoing total knee replacement ( n=13), and fetal growth plate cartilages ( n=4) were processed for safranin O staining and immunohistochemistry. Chondrocytes and their matrix were preferentially stained for PTHrP in the middle and deep zones of the osteophytes examined. Ossified areas did not show a positive staining. In fetal joints the cartilaginous surface and the perichondrium as well as the osteoblasts in the trabecular bone were positive. PTHr was expressed at large in chondrocytes and osteoblasts of all osteophytes and fetal joints. Cells of the perichondrium were also positive. The FGFR3 antibody stained only single chondrocytes in some osteophytes, and groups of cells in others. In fetal samples, chondrocytes of the proliferating and the hypertrophic zone showed staining for FGFR3. This is the first report on the expression of PTHrP, PTHr, and FGFR3 in human osteophytes. As in fetal joints these mediators might regulate proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes playing an important role in osteo(chondro)phyte growth.
为阐明人类骨赘中软骨内成骨的过程，我们研究了甲状旁腺激素相关蛋白（PTHrP）、其受体（PTHr）和成纤维细胞生长因子受体3（FGFR3）的表达。对接受全膝关节置换术患者的骨赘（n = 13）和胎儿生长板软骨（n = 4）进行番红O染色和免疫组织化学处理。在所检查骨赘的中层和深层区域，软骨细胞及其基质优先被PTHrP染色。骨化区域未显示阳性染色。在胎儿关节中，软骨表面、软骨膜以及小梁骨中的成骨细胞呈阳性。PTHr在所有骨赘和胎儿关节的软骨细胞和成骨细胞中大量表达。软骨膜细胞也呈阳性。FGFR3抗体仅在一些骨赘中对单个软骨细胞染色，而在其他骨赘中对细胞群染色。在胎儿样本中，增殖区和肥大区的软骨细胞显示FGFR3染色。这是关于PTHrP、PTHr和FGFR3在人类骨赘中表达的首次报道。与胎儿关节一样，这些介质可能调节软骨细胞的增殖和分化，在骨（软骨）赘生长中起重要作用。
