title: Unique glycosignature for intervertebral disc and articular cartilage cells and tissues in immaturity and maturity.
abstract: In this study, on/off markers for intervertebral disc (IVD) and articular cartilage (AC) cells (chondrocytes) and distinct glycoprofiles of cell and tissue-types were identified from immaturity to maturity. Three and eleven month-old ovine IVD and AC tissues were histochemically profiled with a panel of lectins and antibodies. Relationships between tissue and cell types were analysed by hierarchical clustering. Chondroitin sulfate (CS) composition of annulus fibrosus (AF), nucleus pulposus (NP) and AC tissues was determined by HPLC analysis. Clear on/off cell type markers were identified, which enabled the discrimination of chondrocytes, AF and NP cells. AF and NP cells were distinguishable using MAA, SNA-I, SBA and WFA lectins, which bound to both NP cells and chondrocytes but not AF cells. Chondrocytes were distinguished from NP and AF cells with a specific binding of LTA and PNA lectins to chondrocytes. Each tissue showed a unique CS composition with a distinct switch in sulfation pattern in AF and NP tissues upon disc maturity while cartilage maintained the same sulfation pattern over time. In conclusion, distinct glycoprofiles for cell and tissue-types across age groups were identified in addition to altered CS composition and sulfation patterns for tissue types upon maturity.
authors.affiliation: Center for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Collin
authors.affiliation: Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland.|Glycoscience Group, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kilcoyne
authors.affiliation: Glycoscience Group, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: AO Research Institute, Davos, Switzerland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grad
authors.affiliation: AO Research Institute, Davos, Switzerland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alini
authors.affiliation: Center for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland.|Glycoscience Group, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.affiliation: Center for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Pandit
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000070616:Annulus Fibrosus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D000070614:Nucleus Pulposus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D012756:Sheep / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates