Localization of Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor in Growing Mouse Bone.

Quan, Gerald M. Y.; Ojaimi, Joseline; Yaping Li; Kartsogiannis, Vicky; Hong Zhou; Choong, Peter F. M.

Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a potent anti-angiogenic factor found in a wide range of fetal and adult tissues, where it is thought to play a role in the regulation of angiogenesis during development. The temporal expression of PEDF during endochondral bone formation has not previously been reported. In this study, we analysed the expression pattern of PEDF in growing mouse hindlimbs from newborn day one through to maturation at week 9, using immunohistochemistry andin situhybridization. PEDF expression was demonstrated in chondrocytes within the resting, proliferative and upper hypertrophic zones of the epiphyseal growth plate. The pattern of expression was consistent throughout the developmental stages of the mouse. In addition, PEDF was expressed by osteoblasts lining the bone spicules in the ossification zone of metaphyseal bone, as well as by osteoblasts lining cortical periosteum. These novel results demonstrate that PEDF is developmentally expressed in both cartilage and bone cells during endochondral bone formation, and strongly suggest that it may play a regulatory role in the processes of chondrocyte and osteoblast differentiation, endochondral ossification, and bone remodelling during growth and development of long bones.

EPITHELIUM; VASCULAR endothelial growth factors; BONES; MUSCULOSKELETAL system; GROWTH plate; IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY

Calcified Tissue International, 2005, Vol 76, Issue 2, p146

0171-967X

Academic Journal

10.1007/s00223-004-0068-2