Analysis of "old" proteins unmasks dynamic gradient of cartilage turnover in human limbs.
Published online
Journal Article
Unlike highly regenerative animals, such as axolotls, humans are believed to be unable to counteract cumulative damage, such as repetitive joint use and injury that lead to the breakdown of cartilage and the development of osteoarthritis. Turnover of insoluble collagen has been suggested to be very limited in human adult cartilage. The goal of this study was to explore protein turnover in articular cartilage from human lower limb joints. Analyzing molecular clocks in the form of nonenzymatically deamidated proteins, we unmasked a position-dependent gradient (distal high, proximal low) of protein turnover, indicative of a gradient of tissue anabolism reflecting innate tissue repair capacity in human lower limb cartilages that is associated with expression of limb-regenerative microRNAs. This association shows a potential link to a capacity, albeit limited, for regeneration that might be exploited to enhance joint repair and establish a basis for human limb regeneration.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Hsueh, M-F; Önnerfjord, P; Bolognesi, MP; Easley, ME; Kraus, VB
Published Date
- October 2019
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 5 / 10
Start / End Page
- eaax3203 -
PubMed ID
- 31633025
Pubmed Central ID
- 31633025
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 2375-2548
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1126/sciadv.aax3203
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States