The distribution pattern of critically short telomeres in human osteoarthritic knees

Maria Harbo, Laila Bendix, Anne-Christine Bay Jensen, Jesper Graakjaer, Kent Søe, Thomas Levin Andersen, Per Kjaersgaard-Andersen, Steen Koelvraa, Jean-Marie Delaisse

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Telomere shortening is associated with a number of common age-related diseases. A role of telomere shortening in osteoarthritis (OA) has been suggested, mainly based on the assessment of mean telomere length in ex vivo expanded chondrocytes. We addressed this role directly in vivo by using a newly developed assay, which measures specifically the load of ultra-short single telomeres (below 1,500 base pairs), that is, the telomere subpopulation believed to promote cellular senescence. METHODS: Samples were obtained from human OA knees at two distances from the central lesion site. Each sample was split into three: one was used for quantification of ultra-short single telomeres through the Universal single telomere length assay (STELA), one for histological Mankin grading of OA, and one for mean telomere length measurement through quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization (Q-FISH) as well as for assessment of senescence through quantification of senescence-associated heterochromatin foci (SAHF). RESULTS: The load of ultra-short telomeres as well as mean telomere length was significantly associated with proximity to lesions, OA severity, and senescence level. The degree of significance was higher when assessed through load of ultra-short telomeres per cell compared with mean telomere length. CONCLUSIONS: These in vivo data, especially the quantification of ultra-short telomeres, stress a role of telomere shortening in human OA.
Original languageEnglish
Article numberR12
JournalArthritis Research & Therapy
Volume14
Issue number1
ISSN1478-6362
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012

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