title: The effect of estrogen on the expression of cartilage-specific genes in the chondrogenesis process of adipose-derived stem cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During adolescence, sex hormones play an important role in regulating proliferation, differentiation, maturation, and the scheduled death of chondrocytes. Although some studies have reported the regulatory role of estrogen in the development and progression of cartilage, some of the mechanisms still remain unclear, including the role of estrogen in the expression of cartilage-specific genes in chondrogenesis process, which we cover in this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study, we used adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) to differentiate into cartilage. Differentiated cartilage cells were used in the control (without estrogen E2 in the culture medium) and experimental (with estrogen in the culture medium) groups to evaluate the expression of type II collagen and aggrecan as chondrogenic genes markers, with -real-time polymerase chain reaction technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results indicated that estrogen leads to inhibition of type II collagen gene expression and reduction of aggrecan gene expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Therefore, estrogen probably has negative effects on chondrogenesis process of ADSCs.
authors: Department of Anatomical Sciences, Medical School, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Farzaneh
authors: F
authors: Sadeghi
authors: Department of Anatomical Sciences, Medical School, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Ebrahim
authors: E
authors: Esfandiari
authors: Department of Anatomical Sciences, Medical School, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Batool
authors: B
authors: Hashemibeni
authors: Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Fateme
authors: F
authors: Atef
authors: Department of Anatomical Sciences, Medical School, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Hosein
authors: H
authors: Salehi
authors: Institute of Novin Tahlilgarane Nesfe-Jahan, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Fateme
authors: F
authors: Shabani
keywords: Adipose-derived stem cells; aggrecan; chondrogenesis; estrogen; type II collagen