title: Expression and localization of versican during postnatal development of rat temporomandibular joint disc.
abstract: To analyze the growth-related changes in extracellular matrix components in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discs, the expression and localization of the core protein of a large chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan, versican, in rat TMJ discs during postnatal development (2-32 weeks) were examined using Western blot analysis, real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. Western blot analysis showed that rat TMJ discs predominantly expressed one isoform (V1) and the core protein sharply increased after birth, reached a peak at 8 weeks, and then gradually decreased up to 32 weeks. Real-time quantitative PCR with TaqMan probes indicated that mRNA expression of versican was highest at 2 weeks and gradually decreased with growth. An immunohistochemical study showed that staining for versican was weak and evenly distributed in TMJ discs at 2 weeks. Regional differences in staining for versican became prominent after 8 weeks; staining was intense in the anterior and posterior peripheral attachments, and weak in the central part of the discs. These results demonstrate that growth-related changes and regional differences exist in the expression of versican in the TMJ discs of growing rats, and these probably reflect the changes in the biomechanical environment caused by the development of orofacial functions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, 1757 Kanazawa, Ishikari-tobetsu, Hokkaido, 061-0293 Japan. naoko-t@hoku-iryo-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Toriya
authors.forename: Taishin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takuma
authors.forename: Toshiya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arakawa
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Abiko
authors.forename: Yasuyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sasano
authors.forename: Ichiro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Yasunori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sakakura
authors.forename: Firoz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rahemtulla
authors.forename: Itaru
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mizoguchi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D053675:Versicans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C508324:Vcan protein, rat; D053675:Versicans