title: Novel effects of CCN3 that may direct the differentiation of chondrocytes.
abstract: Identification and characterization of local molecules directing the differentiation of chondrocytes to either transient or permanent cartilage are major issues in cartilage biology. Here, we found CCN family protein 3 (CCN3) was abundantly produced in rat developing epiphyseal cartilage. Evaluations in vitro showed that CCN3 repressed epiphyseal chondrocyte proliferation, while promoting matrix production in multiple assays performed. Furthermore, CCN3 enhanced the articular chondrocytic phenotype; whereas it repressed the one representing endochondral ossification. Additionally, the phenotype of growth plate chondrocytes and chondrogenic progenitors also appeared to be affected by CCN3 in a similar manner. These findings suggest a significant role of CCN3 in inducing chondrocytes to articular ones during joint formation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kita-ku, Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Danilo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Janune
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kubota
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nishida
authors.forename: Harumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kawaki
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Perbal
authors.forename: Seiji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iida
authors.forename: Masaharu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takigawa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development*; D055514:Nephroblastoma Overexpressed Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010012:Osteogenesis; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000096:biosynthesis; D034622:RNA Interference; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D055514:Nephroblastoma Overexpressed Protein; D011509:Proteoglycans