[Characterization of programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) gene in human cartilage and its possible significance].
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the expression of programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) in normal and osteoarthritic human cartilage.


METHODS
Articular cartilage specimens were obtained from 20 patients with osteoarthritis and 10 with femoral neck (normal cartilage) at the time of arthroplasty. Expression of PDCD5 was detected by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analysis.


RESULTS
PDCD5 expression in osteoarthritis cartilage was significantly higher than in normal cartilage especially in the nucleus. PDCD5-positive chondrocytes were mainly observed in the superficial and deep zone of osteoarthritis tissue sections, and in contrast, in the superficial and middle regions of normal controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Since apoptotic chondrocyte death occurs more frequently in osteoarthritis compared to normal cartilage and PDCD5 is an apoptosis related protein, the different expression patterns of PDCD5 in osteoarthritis and normal cartilage suggest that it might be involved in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
Aixin
A
Cheng
Ying
Y
Wang
Dalong
D
Ma
Haowei
H
Zhou
Siquan
S
Lou
D017209:Apoptosis; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000166:cytology*; D002467:Cell Nucleus; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D010003:Osteoarthritis
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; C117283:PDCD5 protein, human