<i>SOX</i> Gene Expression in Human Osteoarthritic Cartilage

Vol. 75, No. 3, 2008

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Original Paper

SOX Gene Expression in Human Osteoarthritic Cartilage
Jochen Haag, Pia M. Gebhard, Thomas Aigner

Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

Address of Corresponding Author

Pathobiology 2008;75:195-199 (DOI: 10.1159/000124980)

Key Words

Cartilage
Osteoarthritis
SOX transcription factor
Gene expression

Abstract

Objective: While the developmental role of the SOX transcription factors in fetal chondrocyte differentiation is well documented, much less is known about the expression of SOX family members in normal and osteoarthritic adult cartilage. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to present a thorough analysis of SOX gene expression in normal and osteoarthritic human adult cartilage. Methods: RNA from normal and osteoarthritic knee cartilage from human adults was analyzed by gene expression profiling using GeneChip technology (Affymetrix) and quantitative real time PCR. Results: Most members of the SOX transcription factor family showed no or very low expression levels in normal and osteoarthritic cartilage from adults. In contrast, SOX9 expression was fairly high in normal cartilage, amounting to approximately 20% of GAPDH levels. SOX9 transcript levels were substantially reduced in osteoarthritis. SOX6 levels were reduced, albeit starting from a low basis expression in normal tissue. Conclusion: The presented data indicate that the role of the SOX transcription factor family in adult human cartilage is most probably restricted to a few members, with SOX9 being the most prominent. Furthermore, the reduction of SOX9 and SOX6 transcript levels in osteoarthritic chondrocytes might be responsible for the loss of phenotypic stability of osteoarthritic chondrocytes.

Author Contacts

Dr. Thomas Aigner
University Hospital Leipzig, Institute of Pathology
Liebigstrasse 26, DE-04103 Leipzig (Germany)
Tel. +49 341 971 5036, Fax +49 341 971 5019
E-Mail thomas.aigner@medizin.uni-leipzig.de

Article Information

Received: October 25, 2007
Accepted: January 8, 2008
Published online: June 10, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 23

Medline Abstract (ID 18550917)

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