title: Pericellular colocalisation and interactive properties of type VI collagen and perlecan in the intervertebral disc.
abstract: The aim of this study was to immunolocalise type VI collagen and perlecan and determine their interactive properties in the intervertebral disc (IVD). Confocal laser scanning microscopy co-localised perlecan with type VI collagen as pericellular components of IVD cells and translamellar cross-bridges in ovine and murine IVDs. These cross-bridges were significantly less abundant in the heparin sulphate deficient Hspg2 exon 3 null mouse IVD than in wild type. This association of type VI collagen with elastic components provides clues as to its roles in conveying elastic recoil properties to annular tissues. Perlecan and type VI collagen were highly interactive in plasmon resonance studies. Pericellular colocalisation of perlecan and type VI collagen provides matrix stabilisation and cell-matrix communication which allows IVD cells to perceive and respond to perturbations in their biomechanical microenvironment. Perlecan, at the cell surface, provides an adhesive interface between the cell and its surrounding extracellular matrix. Elastic microfibrillar structures regulate tensional connective tissue development and function. The 2010 Global Burden of Disease study examined 291 disorders and identified disc degeneration and associated low back pain as the leading global musculoskeletal disorder emphasising its massive socioeconomic impact and the need for more effective treatment strategies. A greater understanding of how the IVD achieves its unique biomechanical functional properties is of great importance in the development of such therapeutic measures.
authors.affiliation: Raymond Purves Bone and Joint Research Laboratories, Institute of Bone and Joint Research, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Level 10, Kolling Building B6, University of Sydney at Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia.james.melrose@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Shu
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lord
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Little
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Whitelock
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Melrose
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D024142:Collagen Type VI / Q000378:metabolism*; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000378:metabolism; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007797:Laminin / Q000378:metabolism; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D021381:Protein Transport; D012756:Sheep; D020349:Surface Plasmon Resonance
chemical_list: D024142:Collagen Type VI; D005353:Fibronectins; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans; D007797:Laminin; D010455:Peptides; C071927:perlecan