Date of Award
2004
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Program
Physiology
Supervisor
Dr. Frank Beier
Abstract
Most of the human skeleton forms through a process known as endochondral ossification, that requires the coordinated interplay of many factors to control cartilage morphogenesis. Disturbances in this process frequently cause malformations of cartilage resulting in diseases such as osteoarthritis or chondrodysplasias. Recent studies have identified C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) as a stimulator of cartilage growth and subsequent endochondral bone development, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms used by CNP remain largely unknown. This project studied the role of CNP in chondrogenesis and the activity of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases as mediators of CNP signaling in chondrocytes. We demonstrated that CNP and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) reproducibly enhance chondrogenesis. CNP and cGMP increase bone length in organ cultures of fetal mouse tibias, and we suggest the involvement of p38 MAP kinase and ERK1/2 in CNP signaling. These findings will contribute to the development of novel strategies for treating skeletal diseases such as osteoarthritis.
Recommended Citation
Khan, Sameena A., "C-TYPE NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE ENHANCES ENDOCHONDRAL BONE GROWTH" (2004). Digitized Theses. 4939.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/4939