Identification of a <i>Prg4</i>‐Expressing Articular Cartilage Progenitor Cell Population in Mice

Abstract

Our results suggest that Prg4-expressing cells located at the joint surface in the embryo serve as a progenitor population for all deeper layers of the mature articular cartilage. Also, our findings indicate that Prg4(GFPCreERt2) is expressed by superficial chondrocytes in young mice, but expands into deeper regions of the articular cartilage as the animals age. The Prg4(GFPCreERt2) allele should be a useful tool for inducing efficient Cre-mediated recombination of loxP-flanked alleles at sites of Prg4 expression.