M Harbo1, J M Delaisse, P Kjaersgaard-Andersen, F B Soerensen, S Koelvraa, L Bendix. 1. Department of Clinical Genetics, Vejle/Lillebaelt Hospital, Kabbeltoft 25, 7100 Vejle, Denmark; Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsloews Vej 19,3., 5000 Odense C, Denmark; Danish Aging Research Center, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsloews Vej 9B, 5000 Odense C, Denmark. Electronic address: maria.harbo@rsyd.dk.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Ultra-short telomeres caused by stress-induced telomere shortening are suggested to induce chondrocyte senescence in human osteoarthritic knees. Here we have further investigated the role of ultra-short telomeres in the development of osteoarthritis (OA) and in aging of articular cartilage in human hips. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cartilage was obtained from four different distances of the central weight-bearing area in human femoral heads (14 OA and 9 non-OA). Samples were split into three: one for quantification of ultra-short single telomeres by Universal STELA and mean telomere length measurement by Q-PCR; one for histological grading of OA, and one for immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Load of ultra-short telomeres increased closer to the central weight-bearing area and correlated with cartilage degradation in both OA and non-OA samples. Mean telomere length decreased with decreasing distance to the central weight-bearing area, however, unexpectedly increased in the most central zone. This increase was associated with immunohistochemical findings of cells expressing markers characteristic of progenitor-like cells. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest a role of short telomeres in the development of OA and in aging of articular cartilage. Furthermore, progenitor-like cells with long telomeres may be recruited to the most damaged areas of the cartilage.
INTRODUCTION: Ultra-short telomeres caused by stress-induced telomere shortening are suggested to induce chondrocyte senescence in human osteoarthritic knees. Here we have further investigated the role of ultra-short telomeres in the development of osteoarthritis (OA) and in aging of articular cartilage in human hips. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Cartilage was obtained from four different distances of the central weight-bearing area in human femoral heads (14 OA and 9 non-OA). Samples were split into three: one for quantification of ultra-short single telomeres by Universal STELA and mean telomere length measurement by Q-PCR; one for histological grading of OA, and one for immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Load of ultra-short telomeres increased closer to the central weight-bearing area and correlated with cartilage degradation in both OA and non-OA samples. Mean telomere length decreased with decreasing distance to the central weight-bearing area, however, unexpectedly increased in the most central zone. This increase was associated with immunohistochemical findings of cells expressing markers characteristic of progenitor-like cells. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest a role of short telomeres in the development of OA and in aging of articular cartilage. Furthermore, progenitor-like cells with long telomeres may be recruited to the most damaged areas of the cartilage.
Authors: T McAlindon; M Roberts; J Driban; L Schaefer; I K Haugen; S E Smith; J Duryea; D Cunha; F Blanco; J-L Fernández-Garcia; C Eaton Journal: Osteoarthritis Cartilage Date: 2018-08-30 Impact factor: 6.576
Authors: S Maynard; G Keijzers; A-M Hansen; M Osler; D Molbo; L Bendix; P Møller; S Loft; M Moreno-Villanueva; A Bürkle; C P Hvitby; S H Schurman; T Stevnsner; L J Rasmussen; K Avlund; V A Bohr Journal: Acta Physiol (Oxf) Date: 2014-04-23 Impact factor: 6.311
Authors: Laura Vidal-Bralo; Yolanda Lopez-Golan; Antonio Mera-Varela; Ignacio Rego-Perez; Steve Horvath; Yuhua Zhang; Álvaro Del Real; Guangju Zhai; Francisco J Blanco; Jose A Riancho; Juan J Gomez-Reino; Antonio Gonzalez Journal: Aging (Albany NY) Date: 2016-09-28 Impact factor: 5.682