Novel Role of Estrogen Receptor-α 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. 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.