Unique glycosignature for intervertebral disc and articular cartilage cells and tissues in immaturity and maturity

Abstract

In this study, on/off markers for intervertebral disc (IVD) and articular cartilage (AC) cells (chondrocytes) and distinct glycoprofiles of cell and tissue-types were identified from immaturity to maturity. Three and eleven month-old ovine IVD and AC tissues were histochemically profiled with a panel of lectins and antibodies. Relationships between tissue and cell types were analysed by hierarchical clustering. Chondroitin sulfate (CS) composition of annulus fibrosus (AF), nucleus pulposus (NP) and AC tissues was determined by HPLC analysis. Clear on/off cell type markers were identified, which enabled the discrimination of chondrocytes, AF and NP cells. AF and NP cells were distinguishable using MAA, SNA-I, SBA and WFA lectins, which bound to both NP cells and chondrocytes but not AF cells. Chondrocytes were distinguished from NP and AF cells with a specific binding of LTA and PNA lectins to chondrocytes. Each tissue showed a unique CS composition with a distinct switch in sulfation pattern in AF and NP tissues upon disc maturity while cartilage maintained the same sulfation pattern over time. In conclusion, distinct glycoprofiles for cell and tissue-types across age groups were identified in addition to altered CS composition and sulfation patterns for tissue types upon maturity.

Lectins selectively label cartilage condensations and the otic neuroepithelium within the embryonic chicken head

“…This may signify differential posttranslational modification of the GAGs/proteoglycans on the periphery of the floorplate, creating a sharp boundary between the floorplate and the adjacent neuroepithelial cells. Chondrocytes in the adult vertebral column are labeled by PNA, indicating that the same glycosignature is conserved between embryonic basal plate and postnatal mature chondrocytes of the vertebral column (Collin et al 2016).…”

“…The cell surface of each tissue has a unique glycosignature, which occurs as a result of posttranslational or co-translational modification based on phenotype and transcriptional profile. It is also dependent on interaction with the local ECM that carries its own glycosignature (Poirier & Kimber, 1997;Collin et al 2016). Evidence suggests that sialylation of carbohydrates is a universal mechanism by which adjacent tissues sort out and remodel during hierarchical tissue organization in embryogenesis and postnatal development.…”

“…The a-2,6 sialic acid is commonly found in healthy primary chondrocytes found in the mature hyaline and articular cartilages and is characterized by strong SNA binding. In contrast a-2,3 sialic acid is associated with immature mesenchymal stem cells, osteoclastogenesis, cartilage matrix breakdown, inflammation, dedifferentiation induced by interleukin (IL)-1b, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a and pathophysiological conditions such as osteoarthritis (Toegel et al 2010;Talaei-Khozani et al 2011;Collin et al 2016). The a-2,6 sialic acid promotes stability of adhesion molecules such as E-cadherin, NCAM and integrin b1, and strengthens cell-cell and cell-ECM adhesion and decreases cell migration.…”

Critical aspects and challenges for intervertebral disc repair and regeneration—Harnessing advances in tissue engineering

“…Further preclinical studies are warranted to compare such matrices with other synthetic or natural biomaterials. Recently reported studies are only at the beginning of identifying the molecular patterns that determine the NP cell phenotype …”

“…Recently reported studies are only at the beginning of identifying the molecular patterns that determine the NP cell phenotype. [87][88][89] The AF is a multilamellar structure composed of 70% collagen, primarily type I, and 10% proteoglycan in dry weight. 67 One of the challenges of AF tissue engineering is the gradual transformation of structure and biochemistry from the outer AF to the inner AF and the NP that cannot easily be reproduced ex vivo.…”