Novel Role of Estrogen Receptor-a on Regulating Chondrocyte Phenotype and Response to Mechanical Loading

Using bulk RNA-seq for chondrocytes isolated from preserved cartilage and damaged cartilage, 558 differentially expressed genes were identified. Given the shared genetic and biochemical environment of D-C and P-C located within the same knee, the differences in tissue integrity and resulting chondrocyte phenotype could in part be attributed to differences in the mechanical microenvironment; Through ingenuity pathway analysis and other molecular biology method, we identified ESR1 as a promosing up-stream regulator which could regulate chondrocyte phenotype and reponse to mechanical loading. Overall design: Preserved cartilage and damaged cartilage were identified through outerbridge acore (macroappearance) and OARSI score (histology), and they were isolated from the patients who underwent total knee joint arthroplasty.