Alterations in CD44 isoforms and HAS expression in human articular chondrocytes during the de- and re-differentiation processes

The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of different CD44 and hyaluronan synthase isoforms in cartilage, their alterations during the chondrocyte dedifferentiation process in monolayer culture and during the redifferentiation process on 3D scaffolds. Chondrocytes isolated from human articular cartilage were cultured as a monolayer for up to 36 days and were seeded on two different 3D scaffolds (HYAFF (R) and Bio-Gide (R)). Expression levels of CD44s, CD44-lt, CD44-st, HAS1, HAS2, HAS3 and UDPGD were determined by real-time RT-PCR at different time points. At the protein level CD44 and CD90 were analyzed by flow cytometry. HAS2 was found to be the predominantly expressed hyaluronan synthase in chondrocytes and was not subjected to any regulation during the dedifferentiation process. CD44s, CD44-lt, CD44-st and UDPGD, however, were upregulated immediately after cell isolation. In addition. a high cell density was found to significantly increase CD44-st and CD44-lt expression. Redifferentiation on 3D scaffolds reversed the increase of the CD44 expression. Our data point out that CD44 expression does not correlate with matrix assembly in chondrocytes and that CD44 has a regulatory function in chondrocytes, not necessarily on differentiation, but probably on proliferation.