title: A microarray analysis of full depth knee cartilage of ovariectomized rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This short communication focuses the on articular cartilage and the subchondral bone, both of which play important roles in the development of osteoarthritis (OA). There are indications that estrogen-deficiency, as the post-menopausal state, accelerate the development of OA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We investigated, which extracellular matrix (ECM) protein, proteases and different pro-inflammatory factors was up- or down-regulated in the knee joint tissue in response to estrogen-deficiency in rats induced by ovariectomy. These data support previous findings that several metalloproteinases (MMPs) and cysteine proteases are co-regulated with numerous collagens and proteoglycans that are important for cartilage integrity. Furthermore quite a few pro-inflammatory cytokines were regulated by estrogen deprivation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found multiple genes where regulated in the joint by estrogen-deficiency, many of which correspond well with our current knowledge of the pathogenesis of OA. It supports that estrogen-deficiency (e.g. OVX) may accelerate joint deterioration. However, there are also data that draw attention the need for better understanding of the synergy between proteases and tissue turnover.
authors.affiliation: Cartilage biology and biomarkers, Nordic Bioscience, Herlev, Denmark. acbj@nordicbioscience.com.
authors.forename: Anne C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Bay-Jensen
authors.forename: Rasmus H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Toni
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Segovia-Silvestre
authors.forename: Moïse
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Azria
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Staedtler
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Letzkus
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: Arndt H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Brachat
authors.forename: Morten A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Karsdal