Aberrant Chondrocyte Hypertrophy and Activation of ß-Catenin Signaling Precede Joint Ankylosis in<i>ank/ank</i>Mice

Abstract

We identified a previously unrecognized phenotype in the articular cartilage of ank/ank mice: collagen X-positive hypertrophic chondrocytes in the UC. It is possible that consequent to downregulation of axin2 expression, ß-catenin signaling was activated, leading to accelerated chondrocyte maturation and eventual ankylosis in ank/ank joints. Our studies shed new light on the contribution of a key signaling pathway in this model of joint ankylosis.