Chondrogenic potential of the microvascular pericyte / David L. Diefenderfer.

Format:

Book

Manuscript

Microformat

Thesis/Dissertation

Author/Creator:

Diefenderfer, David L.

Contributor:

Brighton, Carl T., advisor.

University of Pennsylvania.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Penn dissertations--Cell and molecular biology.

Cell and molecular biology--Penn dissertations.

Cell and Molecular Biology.

Academic Dissertations as Topic.

Medical Subjects:

Cell and Molecular Biology.

Academic Dissertations as Topic.

Local Subjects:

Penn dissertations--Cell and molecular biology.

Cell and molecular biology--Penn dissertations.

Physical Description:

xiv, 161 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 29 cm

Production:

2001.

Summary:

Bone possesses the remarkable capacity to heal by the induction of new bone. This capacity is unique considering that most injured tissues, irrespective of type, heal by the formation of a fibrous scar. The new bone formed subsequent to fracture is termed the callus and bone formation within the callus occurs by both direct and endochondral ossification. A significant part of the fracture callus is contributed by cells recruited from the soft tissues and having the capacity to undergo chondro-osteogenic differentiation subsequent to induction by bone-specific morphogens.

Vascular elements are intimately associated with bone formation. Ossification in the developing physis is associated with the ingrowth of capillaries on the metaphyseal aspect where calcification of the endochondral cartilage has occurred. The formation of new osteons in bone remodeling is associated with advancing capillaries within the void created by osteoclasts. Bone formation in the endochondral callus occurs where capillaries from the soft tissue invade the pre-existing cartilage.

The pericyte of the microvasculature is characterized as a multipotential mesenchymal stem cell. This cell has previously been shown to express an osteogenic phenotype. We demonstrate here by both molecular and immunocytological evidence that the microvascular pericyte also has the capacity to assume a chondrogenic phenotype. This phenotype is regulated in part by bone morphogenetic protein (BMP). In light of the already established osteogenic potential of this cell type, our findings show that the microvascular pericyte is able to contribute to both the chondrogenic and osteogenic stages of endochondral ossification. This cell type should, therefore, prove a valuable tool for understanding how this process is coordinated.

Notes:

Adviser: Carl T. Brighton.

Thesis (Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology) -- University of Pennsylvania, 2001.

Includes bibliographical references.

Local Notes:

University Microfilms order no.: 3003618.

OCLC:

244972367