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- Xie, Meng, et al.
(författare)
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Secondary ossification center induces and protects growth plate structure
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Ingår i: eLIFE. - 2050-084X.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Growth plate and articular cartilage constitute a single anatomical entity, but later separate into two distinct structures by the formation of secondary ossification center (SOC). The reason for such spatial separation remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that evolutionarily SOC first appears in amniotes. Mathematical modelling reveals that SOC reduces mechanical stress within the growth plate. Analysis of mammals with specialized extremities reveals that SOC size correlates with the extent of mechanical demands. Ex and in vivo experiments demonstrate that SOC allows epiphyseal chondrocytes to withstand a several-fold higher load before activation of the YAP-p73 signalling pathway and caspase-dependent apoptosis, with hypertrophic chondrocytes being the most load-sensitive cells. Atomic force microscopy shows that hypertrophic chondrocytes are the least mechanically stiff cells within the growth plate. Altogether, these findings suggest that SOC is evolved to protect epiphyseal chondrocytes, especially the hypertrophic chondrocytes, from the high mechanical stress encountered in the terrestrial environment.
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