Robo3A and Robo3B expression is regulated via alternative promoters and mRNA stability.

Background: The transmembrane receptor family Roundabout (Robo) was described to have an essential role in the developing nervous system. Recent studies demonstrated that Robo3 shows an altered expression in rheumatoid arthritis as well as in melanoma.

Context And Purpose Of The Study: Until today no detailed studies of the two Robo3 isoforms (Robo3A and Robo3B) and their roles in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts, respectively malignant melanoma are available.

Expression and function of microRNA-188-5p in activated rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts.

Activated synovial fibroblasts in rheumatoid arthritis (RASF) play a critical role in the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recent studies suggested that deregulation of microRNAs (miRs) affects the development and progression of RA. Therefore, we aimed to identify de-regulated miRs in RASF and to identify target genes that may contribute to the aggressive phenotype of RASF.

Expression and function of microRNA-188-5p in activated rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts.

Activated synovial fibroblasts in rheumatoid arthritis (RASF) play a critical role in the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recent studies suggested that deregulation of microRNAs (miRs) affects the development and progression of RA. Therefore, we aimed to identify de-regulated miRs in RASF and to identify target genes that may contribute to the aggressive phenotype of RASF.

DCC is expressed in a CD166-positive subpopulation of chondrocytes in human osteoarthritic cartilage and modulates CRE activity.

Objective: In a recent study we determined a strong differential expression of DCC in OA compared to normal chondrocytes and a strong impact of the DCC receptor on cellular mobility triggered by its ligand Netrin-1. Migration of chondrocytes or their progenitor cells may play a role in remodeling of cartilage and pathological conditions. The purpose of this study is to identify subsets of chondrocytes expressing DCC and to understand signaling pathways used by DCC in chondrocytes.

Development of a model system to analyze chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

High-density cell culture is widely used for the analysis of cartilage development of human mesenchymal stem cells (HMSCs) in vitro. Several cell culture systems, as micromass, pellet culture and alginate culture, are applied by groups in the field to induce chondrogenic differentiation of HMSCs. A draw back of all model systems is the high amount of cells necessary for the experiments.

N-cadherin promoter polymorphisms and risk of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. It is characterized by cartilage destruction and bone remodeling, mediated in part by synovial fibroblasts (SFs). Given the functional significance of cadherins in these cells, we aimed at determining the role of genetic variants of N-cadherin (CDH2) in OA of the knee and hip.

Fragments of SLIT3 inhibit cellular migration.

The repellent factor family of Slit molecules has been described as having a repulsive function in the developing nervous system on growing axons expressing the Roundabout (Robo) receptors. Recent studies determined the effects of Slit molecules on the migratory and invasive potential of several types of tumor cells but also on synovial fibroblasts (SFs) derived from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. To optimize a potential therapeutic application we aimed at generatingfragments of Slit3 showing the same functional ability as the full-length molecule but having the advantage of a smaller size.