Building a Solid Foundation: CCS in Developing Skeleton and the CCN Family Role
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BioMed Central
Open Access
Commentary
Building a Solid Foundation: CCS in Developing Skeleton and the CCN Family Role Herman Yeger* Address: Division of Pathology, Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada Email: Herman Yeger* - [email protected] * Corresponding author
Published: 02 October 2003 Cell Communication and Signaling 2003, 1:2
Received: 10 September 2003 Accepted: 02 October 2003
This article is available from: http://www.biosignaling.com/content/1/1/2 © 2003 Yeger; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article: verbatim copying and redistribution of this article are permitted in all media for any purpose, provided this notice is preserved along with the article's original URL.
The inauguration of Cell Communication & Signaling includes the introduction of a Commentary section which will identify concepts and current research of interest to the readership. In this first Commentary I have highlighted the complex processes of cartilage and bone formation and the potential role of the CCN family of proteins, in particular CCN2 (CTGF). We invite authors of papers cited and other investigators interested in the subject areas to submit further insights via the Commentary section and indeed in this manner to help develop a lively forum for discussion and interaction. In its simplest organizational perspective, a committed mesenchyme initiates formation of cartilage where differentiating chondroblasts progress to become chondrocytes and in doing so lay down a highly specialized extracellular matrix. Hypertrophy of one zone of chondrocytes and death through apoptosis set the framework for ensuing stages in osteogenesis, beginning with a scaffold for growing bone, and then vascularization of the territory which then brings in osteoblasts and osteoclasts to initiate formation of trabecular bone further remodeling and therein the development of a second prominent and unique extracellular matrix. The list of morphogenetic factors, growth factors, steroids and key transcription factors that orchestrate this complex process is already extensive and continues to grow, almost mimicking the process itself [1,2]. Outside to inside and vice versa signaling events are critical to the process of cartilage and bone formation since the different cell populations involved must coordinate their activities in order to realize the ultimate anatomical structure. Thus it is not surprising that disruptions in these intricate communications and loss of factors
would lead to development of mild to severe abnormalities. Add to this the importance of precise timing of signaling events and attention to physiologically effective concentrations of factors that dictate growth, differentiation and apoptosis, it is evident that specific molecules are needed to assist in 'pacing' the developmental steps. In this first Commentary we highlight a number of reviews and studies that address the complex biology of cartilage and bone forma
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