Expression and localization of versican during postnatal development of rat temporomandibular joint disc

Abstract

To analyze the growth-related changes in extracellular matrix components in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discs, the expression and localization of the core protein of a large chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan, versican, in rat TMJ discs during postnatal development (2-32 weeks) were examined using Western blot analysis, real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. Western blot analysis showed that rat TMJ discs predominantly expressed one isoform (V1) and the core protein sharply increased after birth, reached a peak at 8 weeks, and then gradually decreased up to 32 weeks. Real-time quantitative PCR with TaqMan probes indicated that mRNA expression of versican was highest at 2 weeks and gradually decreased with growth. An immunohistochemical study showed that staining for versican was weak and evenly distributed in TMJ discs at 2 weeks. Regional differences in staining for versican became prominent after 8 weeks; staining was intense in the anterior and posterior peripheral attachments, and weak in the central part of the discs. These results demonstrate that growth-related changes and regional differences exist in the expression of versican in the TMJ discs of growing rats, and these probably reflect the changes in the biomechanical environment caused by the development of orofacial functions.

Aggrecan, versican and type VI collagen are components of annular translamellar crossbridges in the intervertebral disc

“…Details of the antibodies used and epitope retrieval steps required for detection are provided in table 1 and suppliers are provided below. Monoclonal antibody (Mab) 5-D-5 to versican G3 domain [1,30,48] was a gift from Dr Firoz Rahemtulla, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA. Mab A7L6, rat anti perlecan domain IV [14,15] and MAb CS-56 to native CS [23] were purchased from Abcam, Cambridge, UK.…”

Phenotypes of articular disc cells in the rat temporomandibular joint as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry for nestin and GFAP

“…Occlusion between upper and lower teeth is an important factor that regulates jaw movement (Matthews, 1975). Previous studies have suggested the involvement of occlusal forces in the development of the extracellular matrices in the articular disc of the temporomandibular joint (Toriya et al. 2006; Feng et al.…”

Recent progress in histochemistry

“…Versican is a large chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan which is involved in ECM assembly, cell proliferation, cell survival, cell attachment, cell migration, and perhaps also the regulation of inXammatory and immunological reactions. Toriya et al (2006) studied the core protein of versican during the post-natal growth of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discs. They were able to demonstrate that growth-related changes and regional diVerences in the expression of versican in the TMJ discs of growing rats reXect changes in the biomechanical environment caused by the development of orofacial functions.…”