NG2/CSPG4 regulates the transcriptional profile of mandibular fibrochondrocytes during serum starvation [RNAseq-primary cells]
Changes in the mechanical homeostasis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can lead to the initiation and progression of degenerative arthropathies such as osteoarthritis (OA). Cells sense and engage with their mechanical microenvironment through interactions with the extracellular matrix. In the mandibular condylar cartilage, the pericellular microenvironment is composed of type VI collagen. NG2/CSPG4 is a transmembrane proteoglycan that binds with type VI collagen, and has been implicated in the cell stress response. The objective of this study is to define the role of NG2/CSPG4 in the cell stress response during serum starvation. To evaluate the role of the NG2/CSPG4, primary mandibular fibrochondrocytes from c57 BL/6 J and NG2/CSPG4 knockout mice (mixed sex) were cultured in normal and serum starvation conditions. To evaluate the role of the NG2/CSPG4 ectodomain, primary mandibular fibrochondrocytes were immortalized using hTERT. CRSIPR/Cas9 was used to truncate the NG2/CSPG4 ectodomain by targeting the type VI collagen binding region. Normal culture conditions were AMEM growth media supplemented with 10% FBS, penicillin, L-Glut, and plasmocin.  Serum starvation conditions were Optimem media with no FBS, supplemented with penicillin, L-Glut, and plasmocin. Serum starvation was induced for 24 hours. RNA from the cells was isolated using the RNeasy kit (Qiagen). poly(A) RNA was fragmented using divalent cation buffer in elevated temperature. The DNA library construction is shown in the following workflow. Quality control analysis and quantification of the sequencing library were performed using Agilent Technologies 2100 Bioanalyzer High Sensitivity DNA Chip. Paired-ended sequencing was performed on Illumina's NovaSeq 6000 sequencing system. Sequencing was done by LC Sciences. These data illustrate that in serum starvation conditions, NG2/CSPG4 knockout mandibular fibrochondrocytes and targeted truncation of the NG2/CSPG4 ectodomain alters the transcriptional profile of the cell, promoting biological processes associated with cell stress, migration, and ossiciation. Overall design: Comparative gene expression profiling analysis of RNA-seq data comparing c57/BL6J and NG2/CSPG4 knockout primary mandibular fibrochondrocytes collected from 10-14 day old pups in normal and serum starvation conditions and immortalized primary mandibular fibrochondrocytes with and without genetic truncation of the ectodomain in normal and serum starvation conditions.