BoneKEy Reports | BoneKEy Watch

Modeling osteoarthritis genetics in zebrafish



DOI:10.1038/bonekey.2013.83

Mitchell et al. demonstrate that the zebrafish model is a useful tool for examining how known osteoarthritis (OA) susceptibility genes are expressed during development.

Six such genes were chosen—Col9a2, Col10a1, Gdf5, Mcf2l, PthrP and Pthlh. The researchers identified zebrafish homologues and then performed in situ hybridization experiments on wild-type zebrafish larvae using labeled probes. Similar studies were also performed in two transgenic zebrafish lines, which had modifications in the collagen genes, namely Col2a1 and Col10a1.

The spatiotemporal expression of each gene in wild-type zebrafish is reported in detail. Of particular interest were the observations of the two collagen genes. Col10a1 expression, which occurs during mammalian chondrocyte hypertrophy, was observed in the cranial bone elements in zebrafish that are formed by intramembranous ossification. Later in development, Col10a1 continued to be expressed in dermal bone elements but was then also detected in chondral bone elements, e.g. at the center of the ceratohyal.

Editor’s comment: Using zebrafish as a model to study the genetic basis of OA is an exciting development. Translucent larvae allow microscopic examination of tissues in vivo during development and it is possible to visualize the expression of key genes in live fish. It should be possible to use zebrafish to expand our understanding of OA genetics and perhaps to screen for new therapeutics.


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