Mechanical stretch enhances COL2A1 expression on chromatin by inducing SOX9 nuclear translocalization in inner meniscus cells.

The meniscus plays an important role in controlling the biomechanics of the knee. However, the mechanical stress-related response in meniscus cells remains unclear. We investigated mechanical stretch-regulated gene expression in human meniscus cells. Human inner and outer meniscus cells were prepared from the inner and outer halves of the lateral meniscus. The gene expressions of Sry-type HMG box (SOX) 9 and α1(II) collagen (COL2A1) were assessed by real-time PCR analyses after cyclic tensile strain (CTS) treatment (0.5 Hz, 5% stretch). The localization and phosphorylation of SOX9 were evaluated by immunohistochemical and Western blot (WB) analyses. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (IP) analysis was performed to assess the stretch-related protein-DNA complex formation between SOX9 and the COL2A1 enhancer on chromatin. Type II collagen deposition and SOX9 production were detected only in inner menisci. CTS treatments increased expression of the COL2A1 and SOX9 genes in inner meniscus cells, but not in outer meniscus cells. In addition, CTS treatments stimulated nuclear translocalization and phosphorylation of SOX9 in inner meniscus cells. Chromatin IP analyses revealed that CTS increased the association between SOX9 and its DNA-binding site, included in the COL2A1 enhancer, on chromatin. Our results indicate that inner and outer meniscus cells have different properties in mechanical stretch-induced COL2A1 expression. In inner meniscus cells, mechanical stretch may have an essential role in the epigenetic regulation of COL2A1 expression.

Anterior cruciate ligament-derived cells have high chondrogenic potential.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-derived cells have a character different from medial collateral ligament (MCL)-derived cells. However, the critical difference between ACL and MCL is still unclear in their healing potential and cellular response. The objective of this study was to investigate the mesenchymal differentiation property of each ligament-derived cell. Both ligament-derived cells differentiated into adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic lineages. In chondrogenesis, ACL-derived cells had the higher chondrogenic property than MCL-derived cells. The chondrogenic marker genes, Sox9 and alpha1(II) collagen (Col2a1), were induced faster in ACL-derived pellets than in MCL-derived pellets. Sox9 expression preceded the increase of Col2a1 in both pellet-cultured cells. However, the expression level of Sox9 and a ligament/tendon transcription factor Scleraxis did not parallel the increase of Col2a1 expression along with chondrogenic induction. The present study demonstrates that the balance between Sox9 and Scleraxis have an important role in the chondrogenic differentiation of ligament-derived cells.