青少年特发性脊柱侧凸软骨Sox9表达及意义

Chondral expression of Sox9 and its significance in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

[目的]检测Sox9及软骨特异性标记物Ⅱ型胶原及Aggrecan在青少年特发性脊柱侧凸(adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, AIS)患者关节突软骨细胞中的表达,探讨其与AIS发生、发展的关系。[方法]收集我院行后路脊柱侧凸矫形术的15例AIS患者的关节突软骨标本,设为AIS组;取同年龄段无脊柱侧凸行脊柱融合术的10例患者正常软骨标本,设为对照组。分别分离软骨细胞体外培养,分别采用RT-PCR,免疫组化,免疫荧光染色和Westen-blotting等方法检测AIS组及对照组软骨Sox9及Ⅱ型胶原及Aggrecan的表达情况,进行两组间比较和AIS组凸侧与凹侧间比较。[结果] AIS组患者软骨细胞内的Sox9及软骨特异性标记物CollagenⅡ及Aggrecan的表达明显高于非AIS组患者。相比于凹侧,AIS患者顶椎凸侧原代软骨细胞中Sox9及软骨特异性标记物CollagenⅡ及Aggrecan表达明显升高。[结论] Sox9在AIS患者体内及原代软骨细胞中的表达异常是AIS患者体内软骨发育异常及脊柱不平衡生长的重要原因,可能是AIS发生、发展的原因之一。

[Objective] To detect the chondral expression of Sox9 and chondrocyte-specific proteins such as collagen type II and aggrecan in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis（AIS）, and explore their relation to occurrence and development of AIS.[Methods] After chondral samples were harvested from the facet joints in 15 AIS patients and 10 non-AIS adolescents, the chondrocytes were isolated and cultured in vitro. The m RNA and protein of Sox9, collagen type II and aggrecan assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction（qRT-PCR）, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and western blotting were compared between the AIS and non-AIS groups, additionally, between the concave and convex side at the apical vertebra in the AIS group. [Results] Compared to the primary chondrocytes from non-AIS adolescents, the expression of Sox9, collagen type II and aggrecan were significantly up-regulated in the primary chondrocytes from AIS patients. In addition, compared to primary chondrocytes from concave side of apical vertebra in AIS patients, the expression of Sox9, type II collagen and aggrecan were also significantly up-regulated in the primary chondrocytes from convex side of apical vertebra. [Conclusion] Sox9, collagen type II and aggrecan are up-regulated in primary chondrocytes of AIS patients. These findings suggest that there should be abnormal chondrogenesis existed in AIS patients. An abnormal expression of Sox9 may be the initial factor of AIS.