UNSW Embryology

Musculoskeletal Development - Cartilage Development

© Dr Mark Hill (2008)

Acknowledgements

Introduction

The musculoskeletal system consists of skeletal muscle, bone, and cartilage and is mainly mesoderm in origin with some neural crest contribution.

Page Links: Introduction | Some Recent Findings | Reading | Objectives | Computer Activities | Learning activities | Podcasts | Development Overview | Late Neural Development | Terms | References | Glossary | Development Terms

Some Recent Findings

Kobayashi T, Lu J, Cobb BS, Rodda SJ, McMahon AP, Schipani E, Merkenschlager M, Kronenberg HM. Dicer-dependent pathways regulate chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Jan 31;

"Small noncoding RNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs), bind to messenger RNAs through base pairing to suppress gene expression. ... Dicer, an essential component for biogenesis of miRNAs ...critical role of the Dicer-dependent pathway in the regulation of chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation during skeletal development."

Tsang KY, Chan D, Cheslett D, Chan WC, So CL, Melhado IG, Chan TW, Kwan KM, Hunziker EB, Yamada Y, Bateman JF, Cheung KM, Cheah KS. Surviving Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Is Coupled to Altered Chondrocyte Differentiation and Function. PLoS Biol. 2007 Feb 13;5(3):e44

"Alteration of the differentiation program in chondrocytes expressing unfolded or misfolded proteins may be part of an adaptive response that facilitates survival and recovery from the ensuing ER stress. However, the altered differentiation disrupts the highly coordinated events of endochondral ossification culminating in chondrodysplasia."

Kishida Y, Hirao M, Tamai N, Nampei A, Fujimoto T, Nakase T, Shimizu N, Yoshikawa H, Myoui A. Leptin regulates chondrocyte differentiation and matrix maturation during endochondral ossification. Bone. 2005 Nov;37(5):607-21.

Cartilage Molecular Development

Hyaluronan receptor (CD44) - cell membrane glycoprotein, expression occurs at the time of reduction of intercellular spaces at sites prior to cartilage deposition. Signaling through this receptor pathway affects both chondrocyte survival and apoptotis.

Links: OMIM - CD44

Dicer - 21 nucleotide small regulatory RNA required in RNA interference and small temporal RNA (stRNA) pathways to produce the active small RNA component that represses gene expression.

Links: OMIM - DICER | Pubmed Review

WWW Histology

Links to related WWW sites with Histological images for Skeleton/ Muscle/ Connective Tissue system.
Note that all internet links change with time if link does not work use text shown to search WWW.

• University of WA- Department of Anatomy and Human Biology (Histology Notes)
  • MB140 - Histology - Muscle
  • MB140 - Histology - Skeletal Tissues I - Cartilage
• University of Kansas Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology (JayDoc HistoWeb)
  • Cartilage
• Loyola University Medical Education Network (LUMEN- Histology)
  • Part 9: Specialized Connective Tissue: Cartilage and Bone

Glossary of Terms

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Quick Links

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