Structural changes in the large proteoglycan, aggrecan, in different zones of the ovine growth plate.

The large cartilage proteoglycan, aggrecan, was found to vary throughout the ovine physis corresponding to the maturational state of the resident chondrocytes. Two populations of proteoglycan monomer were observed in articular, epiphyseal, and in the resting zone of growth plate cartilage. These proteoglycans contained chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan chains sulfated predominantly in the 4 position along with lesser amounts of chondroitin-6-sulfate and keratan sulfate. In the proliferative zone of the growth plate, chondrocytes synthesize one population of proteoglycan monomer which was significantly larger than monomer populations in articular, epiphyseal, or resting zone and this size increase could be attributed to an increase in its constituent chondroitin sulfate side chains. As these chondrocytes progress through their life cycle they continue to modify the structural characteristics of the aggrecan molecule they synthesize. Thus, in the hypertrophic region of the growth plate, the proteoglycan monomer is larger again than in the proliferative region. Variation in sulfation pattern on aggrecan chondroitin sulfate side chains is also observed in the hypertrophic region with an increasing proportion of unsulfated residues present, which may play a role in the initiation of mineralization. In addition, increasing amounts of the carbohydrate sequence recognized by monoclonal antibody 7-D-4 are observed in the hypertrophic zone.