Expression of transforming growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor and core protein of proteoglycan in human vertebral cartilaginous endplate of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
METHODS
To compare the expression of cytokines and core protein of proteoglycan in the scoliotic concave and convex cartilaginous endplate using immunohistochemical staining.


OBJECTIVE
To define the possible role of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFbeta1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and core protein of proteoglycan in the development of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.


BACKGROUND
Changes in the endplate composition have been implicated as possible etiologic factors in the pathogenesis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Cytokines have exclusive effects on cartilage. Thus comparing the expression of the cytokines and matrix on the convex and concave sides of scoliotic endplate tissues may help to understand the role of endplate tissues in the induction and/or progression of idiopathic scoliosis.


METHODS
The convex and concave half of cartilage endplate was collected at the apex and end vertebrae from 12 patients. The expression of TGFbeta1, bFGF, and core protein on both sides was examined with the immunohistochemistry method, and results were analyzed with the image analysis system.


RESULTS
TGFbeta1, bFGF, and core protein of proteoglycan were all expressed in the cytoplasm of chondrocytes in the cartilaginous endplate. The area density and quantity density of TGFbeta1 and bFGF on the concave side are expressed in an even significantly higher level than that on the convex side (P > or = 0.05). The expression of the core protein of proteoglycan on the convex side is higher than that on the concave side, the difference is not significant (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
There was a significantly higher expression of TGFbeta1 and bFGF, although a lower expression of the core protein on the concave side, which suggests a possible etiological factor or a secondary change in the development of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
Xu
Hongguang
H
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China. xuhg@medmail.com.cn
Qiu
Guixihg
G
Wu
Zhihong
Z
Wang
Yipeng
Y
Zhang
Jianguo
J
Liu
Yong
Y
Yang
Xinyu
X
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D053674:Aggrecans; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D011508:Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism*; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013131:Spine / Q000378:metabolism*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1
D053674:Aggrecans; D011508:Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D011509:Proteoglycans; C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2