Objective. The development of osteoarthritis (OA) may be caused by activation of hypertrophic differentiation of articular chondrocytes. Healthy articular cartilage is highly resistant to hypertrophic differentiation, in contrast to other hyaline cartilage subtypes, such as growth plate cartilage. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the molecular mechanism responsible for the difference in the propensity of human articular cartilage and growth plate cartilage to undergo hypertrophic differentiation.Methods. Whole-genome gene-expression microarray analysis of healthy human growth plate and articular cartilage derived from the same adolescent donors was performed. Candidate genes, which were enriched in the articular cartilage, were validated at the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels and examined for their potential to inhibit hypertrophic differentiation in two models. In addition, we studied a possible genetic association with OA.Results. Pathway analysis demonstrated decreased Wnt signaling in articular cartilage as compared to growth plate cartilage. This was at least partly due to increased expression of the bone morphogenetic protein and Wnt antagonists Gremlin 1, Frizzledrelated protein (FRP), and Dkk-1 at the mRNA and protein levels in articular cartilage. Supplementation of these proteins diminished terminal hypertrophic differentiation without affecting chondrogenesis in long-bone explant cultures and chondrogenically differentiating human mesenchymal stem cells. Additionally, we found that single-nucleotide polymorphism rs12593365, which is located in a genomic control region of GREM1, was significantly associated with a 20% reduced risk of radiographic hip OA in 2 population-based cohorts.Conclusion. Taken together, our study identified Gremlin 1, FRP, and Dkk-1 as natural brakes on hypertrophic differentiation in articular cartilage. As hypertrophic differentiation of articular cartilage may contribute to the development of OA, our findings may open new avenues for therapeutic intervention.Healthy articular cartilage is largely resistant to hypertrophic differentiation. In contrast, other forms of hyaline cartilage, such as growth plate cartilage, which is responsible for bone elongation via endochondral ossification, naturally undergoes hypertrophic differentiation (1). The molecular mechanism underlying this discrepancy between these two types of hyaline cartilage is largely unknown. It has been postulated that articular cartilage secretes a factor(s) that inhibits chondrocyte

SUMMARY BackgroundRecent observations in limited numbers of patients suggest a potential benefit of intrapyloric injection of botulinum toxin in the treatment of gastroparesis.

Background To improve detection of mucosal lesions during colonoscopy a number of imaging modalities have been suggested, including high definition and virtual chromoendoscopy. Given the theoretical advantage of these new imaging techniques, we aimed to investigate their use for the detection of polyps in patients referred for colonoscopy in a large tertiary hospital. Methods Demographic, endoscopic, and histological data from 1855 consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy were collected prospectively. Patients were randomly assigned to three endoscopy systems (Fujinon, Olympus, or Pentax) in combination with four modalities: conventional white-light colonoscopy (n = 505), high definition white-light colonoscopy (n = 582), virtual chromoendoscopy (n = 285) and high definition virtual chromoendoscopy (n = 483). Results The mean adenoma detection rate (ADR) was 34.9 %, and the adenoma per colonoscopy rate (APCR) was 2.1. No significant differences were noted between the three endoscopy systems. Moreover, no differences in ADR or APCR were observed between the four imaging modalities. High definition white-light colonoscopy resulted in a significantly higher detection of sessile serrated adenomas (8.2 % vs. 3.8 %; P < 0.01) and adenocarcinomas (2.6 % vs. 0.5 %; P < 0.05) compared with the conventional procedure. Conclusions No significant differences in ADR or APCR between different endoscopy systems, high definition, and/or virtual chromoendoscopy could be observed in routine colonoscopies in the general population. High definition endoscopy was associated with a significantly higher detection rate of serrated adenomas and adenocarcinomas.

We performed conventional cytogenetic analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization in short-term

Costimulatory signals are absolutely required for T-cell activation after T-cell receptor/major histocompatibility complex-peptide interaction. So far, the best-known candidate essential costimulatory signal is mediated by interaction of CD28 on T cells with B7 on antigen- presenting cells. Using an allogeneic B7+ Epstein-Barr virus- transformed B-cell line as stimulator, we found that addition of a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) to B7 that efficiently blocks B7-CD28 interaction only partially inhibited proliferation and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production in primary and secondary mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR), whereas the generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) was not affected. Inhibition of primary or secondary MLR-induced T-cell activation with cyclosporin A (CsA) at nontoxic concentrations also was never complete. However, the combination of CsA and anti-B7 MoAb B7–24 synergistically blocked allogeneic B cell-induced T-cell proliferation, IL-2 production, and CTL generation. These data suggest that the mere blockage of B7-CD28 interaction during allotransplantation will be insufficient to prevent rejection or graft-versus-host disease. However, low CsA concentrations, when combined with an agent blocking B7-CD28 interaction, can potentially achieve complete immunosuppression.