[Proteoglycan knock-out mice and osteoarthritis]

Abstract

There are several types of small leucine-rich proteoglycans expressed in articular cartilage and its surrounding tissues. Many of these proteoglycans are functioning as a modulator of collagen fibrillogenesis via binding to the surface of collagen fibers. Therefore, deficiencies of their expression in knock-out mice often result in the formation of abnormal collagen fibers leading to the instability of the join, and finally trigger osteoarthritis.