title: Expression of chondromodulin-1 in the temporomandibular joint condylar cartilage and disc.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) cartilage consists of condylar cartilage and disc and undergoes continuous remodeling throughout post-natal life. To maintain the integrity of the TMJ cartilage, anti-angiogenic factors play an important role during the remodeling process. In this study, we investigated the expression of the anti-angiogenic factor, chondromodulin-1 (ChM-1), in TMJ cartilage and evaluate its potential role in TMJ remodeling.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight TMJ specimens were collected from six 4-month-old Japanese white rabbits. Safranin-O staining was performed to determine proteoglycan content. ChM-1 expression in TMJ condylar cartilage and disc was determined by immunohistochemistry. Three human perforated disc tissue samples were collected for investigation of ChM-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) distribution in perforated TMJ disc.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Safranin-O stained weakly in TMJ compared with tibial articular and epiphyseal cartilage. In TMJ, ChM-1 was expressed in the proliferative and hypertrophic zone of condylar cartilage and chondrocyte-like cells in the disc. No expression of ChM-1 was observed in osteoblasts and subchondral bone. ChM-1 and VEGF were both similarly expressed in perforated disc tissues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ChM-1 may play a role in the regulation of TMJ remodeling by preventing blood vessel invasion of the cartilage, thereby maintaining condylar cartilage and disc integrity.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, PR China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Thor Einar
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Friis
authors.forename: Xing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Yin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xiao
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000502:physiology; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004838:Epiphyses / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology; D010619:Phenazines; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000032:analysis; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000473:pathology; D013977:Tibia / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; C489407:Cnmd protein, rat; D004396:Coloring Agents; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010619:Phenazines; D011509:Proteoglycans; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C068675:CNMD protein, human; C009195:safranine T