title: Human YKL39 (chitinase 3-like protein 2), an osteoarthritis-associated gene, enhances proliferation and type II collagen expression in ATDC5 cells.
abstract: Human YKL39 (chitinase 3-like protein 2/CHI3L2) is a secreted 39kDa protein produced by articular chondrocytes and synoviocytes. Recent studies showed that hYKL-39 expression is increased in osteoarthritic articular chondrocytes suggesting the involvement of hYKL-39 in the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). However little is known regarding the molecular function of hYKL-39 in joint homeostasis. Sequence analyses indicated that hYKL-39 has significant identity with the human chitotorisidase family molecules, although it is considered that hYKL-39 has no enzymatic activity since it lacks putative chitinase catalytic motif. In this study, to examine the molecular function of hYKL-39 in chondrocytes, we overexpressed hYKL-39 in ATDC5 cells. Here we report that hYKL-39 enhances colony forming activity, cell proliferation, and type II collagen expression in these cells. These data suggest that hYKL-39 is a novel growth and differentiation factor involved in cartilage homeostasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazumasa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miyatake
authors.forename: Kunikazu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsuji
authors.forename: Mika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamaga
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matsukura
authors.forename: Kahaer
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abula
authors.forename: Ichiro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sekiya
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Muneta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002688:Chitinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D024043:Collagen Type II / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016193:G1 Phase; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000235:genetics; D016196:S Phase
chemical_list: D024043:Collagen Type II; C571841:CHI3L2 protein, human; D002688:Chitinases