Loss of alpha10beta1 integrin expression leads to moderate dysfunction of growth plate chondrocytes.
Integrin alpha10beta1 is a collagen-binding integrin expressed on chondrocytes. In order to unravel the role of the alpha10 integrin during development, we generated mice carrying a constitutive deletion of the alpha10 integrin gene. The mutant mice had a normal lifespan and were fertile but developed a growth retardation of the long bones. Analysis of the skeleton revealed defects in the growth plate after birth characterized by a disturbed columnar arrangement of chondrocytes, abnormal chondrocyte shape and reduced chondrocyte proliferation. Electron microscopy of growth plates from newborn mice revealed an increased number of apoptotic chondrocytes and reduced density of the collagen fibrillar network compared to these structures in control mice. These results demonstrate that integrin alpha10beta1 plays a specific role in growth plate morphogenesis and function.
Bengtsson
Therese
T
Department of Experimental Pathology, Lund University Hospital, Box 117, 22185 Lund, Sweden.
Aszodi
Attila
A
Nicolae
Claudia
C
Hunziker
Ernst B
EB
Lundgren-Akerlund
Evy
E
Fässler
Reinhard
R
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001846:Bone Development; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005838:Genotype; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000378:metabolism*; D047468:Immunoprecipitation; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D039001:Integrin alpha Chains / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D019012:Integrin beta1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008957:Models, Genetic; D008970:Molecular Weight; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D004396:Coloring Agents; D039001:Integrin alpha Chains; D019012:Integrin beta1; D016023:Integrins; C406210:integrin alpha 10; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D012313:RNA; D003094:Collagen