The molecular regulation of chondrogenesis and cartilage homeostasis by MIA/CD-RAP

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Anja-Katrin Bosserhoff
• Subject Area: Pathology ; Orthopaedics, Traumatology, Reconstructive Surgery
• Term: from 2019 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 425899796

Both, in vitro in cell culture systems as well as in vivo in embryonic and adult skeletal system, the expression of the protein MIA/CD-RAP ("melanoma inhibitory activity" or "cartilage-derived retinoic acid sensitive protein") correlates very closely with the differentiation of chondrocytes. The induction of the expression of MIA is effected at the level of transcriptional regulatory mechanisms, which are as well as the function of the protein not yet fully understood. As part of the proposed project, additional insights into the function of the protein MIA in the cartilage shall by gained by in vitro and in vivo experiments. In a previous funding by the DFG the role of MIA in the chondrocyte differentiation was shown, further new target genes such YBX1 and p54nrb were first described. Further analysis will now characterize the molecular function of MIA and MIA target genes in cartilage differentiation exactly. In addition, functional effects of MIA or MIA multimers on differentiation of chondrocytes and progenitor cells or on mechanical properties of cartilage are analyzed.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants