Comparative analysis of sodium coupled vitamin C transporter 2 in human osteoarthritis grade 1 and grade 3 tissues

Blackburn AR 2nd, Hamrick MW, Chutkan N, Sangani R, Waller JL, Corpe R, Prasad PD, Isales CM, Ganapathy V, Fulzele S · BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

The door narrows as the disease advances. SVCT2 messenger RNA was significantly lower in grade 3 osteoarthritic cartilage than in grade 1 (p=0.0001), and antibody staining showed markedly less transporter on the chondrocyte membrane in the degenerate tissue. If ascorbate needs SVCT2 to enter a chondrocyte, the cells that need it most are the least able to take it up.

Population

Human articular cartilage explants graded on the Collins scale, grade 1 versus grade 3

Intervention

SVCT2 expression by quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry

Limitations

Cross-sectional comparison of surgical specimens, so it cannot say whether falling SVCT2 is a cause or a consequence of cartilage degeneration. Expression is not function. Wide variation between samples.