# VERTEBRAL ENDOCHONDRAL OSSIFICATION

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIV OF MED/DENT NJ-R W JOHNSON MED SCH · 1991 · $195,206

## Abstract

Endochondral ossification in the vertebrae is a process through which
embryonic cartilage is replaced by bone.  In this proposal, we intend to
elucidate the mechanisms underlying endochondral ossification in the
vertebrae through studies on the spatio-temporal patterns of three
cartilage collagens, with a special emphasis on type X collagen;
hypertrophic chondrocyte morphology; vascular invasion; and mineralization
in the matrix.  We will analyze these parameters in developing vertebrae of
chick embryos subjected to the following treatments:  (1) Decreased serum
calcium levels in developing embryos (shell-less culture in vitro) and in
adult animals (vitamin D-deficiency).  (2) Interference with the synthesis
of type X collagen in embryos (infection with retrovirus encoding truncated
type X collagen chains).  (3) Induction of morphogenesis or
dysmorphogenesis in chick embryos (local application of retinoic acid).
Endochondral ossification will be analyzed at various times after treatment
using in situ hybridization to collagen mRNAs and immunohistochemistry for
collagen proteins using serial sections from paraffin embedded tissues
coupled with morphometric quantitation assisted by computer-based image
analysis.  Furthermore, we will investigate the presence of angiogenic
activity of isolated hypertrophic chondrocytes using the chick embryo
chorioallantoic membrane.  In addition, we will try to correlate the unique
spatio-temporal pattern of a mouse homeobox gene, Hox-3, in the spinal cord
with other events in the vertebrae of mouse embryos.  The results of these
studies will provide a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying
age dependent vertebral bone development and of its alterations produced by
nutritional and genetic manipulations.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3120965
- **Project number:** 1R01AG009199-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF MED/DENT NJ-R W JOHNSON MED SCH
- **Principal Investigator:** MASANDO HAYASHI
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1991
- **Award amount:** $195,206
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 1991-03-01 → 1994-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3120965

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3120965, VERTEBRAL ENDOCHONDRAL OSSIFICATION (1R01AG009199-01). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3120965. Licensed CC0.

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