# HORMONAL CONTROL OF CHONDROCYTE CARTILAGE SYNTHESIS

> **NIH NIH R01** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 1987 · $124,651

## Abstract

The long-term objective of this research is to characterize the
mechanisms of hormonal regulation of adult cartilage matrix
synthesis and assembly by articular chondrocytes.  The
experimental goal is to use synthesis of keratan sulfate
proteoglycans and Type II collagen as markers of the adult
cartilage phenotype and to determine under in vitro serum-free
conditions the unique combination of connective tissue specific
hormones necessary for reconstruction of the cartilage matrix.

Results obtained during years 01-03 of this grant show that IGF-
I/GH in combination selectively stimulate proteoglycan sysnthesis
and enhance levels of keratan sulfate in the culture.  In addition,
the combination of insulin, IGF-I and fibroblast growth factor are
sufficient in a defined serum-free medium to stimulate the
proliferation of adult bovine articular cartilage cells.

The continuation of this research in years 04-06 will focus on the
process of synthesis and assembly of the extracellular matrix by
articular chondrocytes in a defined culture environment.  The
Specific Aims are all predicated on the hypothesis of hormonal
control of cartilage matrix synthesis and are directed to the
following topics:  (1) Analysis of the extracellular matrix
synthesized by adult articular cartilage cells grown to confluency
in a serum-free medium containing insulin, IGF-I and FGF.  (2)
Investigate the ability of connective tissue specific hormones,
parathyroid hormone, growth hormone, thyroxine, thyrocalcitonin,
estrogen and testosterone, to stimulate matrix synthesis of a
mature phenotype as adjuncts to insulin, IGF-I and FGF.  (3)
Investigate the influence of hormones, attachment factors,
protease inhibitors and cellular geometry on the assembly of
proteoglycans into matrix.  (4) Extend the conditions for serum-
free culture to human costal and articular chondrocytes and
quantitate the characteristics of the medium and cell-associated
proteoglycans.  Techniques include serum-free chondrocyte
culture, quantification and fractionation of proteoglycan, analysis
of collagen synthesis, microanalysis of glycosaminoglycan and
quantitation of DNA and RNA.

The studies are significant to clinical orthopedics and
reconstructive surgery; the information regarding hormonal
control of cartilage synthesis is directly applicable to inhibition of
cartilage destruction, stimulation of cartilage repair and
preparation of transplantable cartilage.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3155982
- **Project number:** 2R01AR031150-04A1
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** HJD6G4D6TJY5
- **Principal Investigator:** DAVID J SCHURMAN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $124,651
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1983-09-01 → 1990-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3155982

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3155982, HORMONAL CONTROL OF CHONDROCYTE CARTILAGE SYNTHESIS (2R01AR031150-04A1). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3155982. Licensed CC0.

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