This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Supplemental Data Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Google Scholar Articles by Aguilar, A. Articles by De Luca, F. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Aguilar, A. Articles by De Luca, F.

P450 Oxidoreductase Expressed in Rat Chondrocytes Modulates Chondrogenesis via Cholesterol- and Indian Hedgehog-Dependent Mechanisms

Section of Endocrinology and Diabetes (A.A., S.W., F.D.L.), St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children; Department of Pediatrics (A.A., S.W., F.D.L.), Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and School of Medicine (S.W.), Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, People’s Republic of China

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Francesco De Luca, M.D., St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Erie Avenue at Front Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19134. E-mail: francesco.deluca{at}drexelmed.edu.

Cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR) is the electron donor for microsomal cytochrome P450 enzymes and other non-P450 enzymes. Targeted deletion of POR expression in mice leads to a variety of embryonic defects, including bone abnormalities. In addition, POR mutations in humans are associated with impaired steroidogenesis and skeletal malformations. Yet, little is known on the mechanisms underlying the skeletal abnormalities secondary to impaired POR activity. In our study, rat chondrocytes transfected with POR-specific short interfering RNAs exhibited decreased cell proliferation and differentiation and induced apoptosis. In addition, the reduced expression of POR in chondrocytes caused decreased intracellular cholesterol content. The addition of cholesterol in the culture medium prevented the POR small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated effects on chondrocyte proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Because cholesterol is required for normal activity of the hedgehog proteins, we evaluated the effects of POR siRNAs on the expression of Indian hedgehog (Ihh), an important regulator of chondrogenesis. POR siRNA-transfected chondrocytes exhibited reduced Ihh expression, with such effect being neutralized by cholesterol. Lastly, recombinant human/mouse Ihh prevented the POR siRNA-mediated effects on chondrocyte proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Our findings suggest that the bone malformations associated with defective POR activity are due to reduced cholesterol synthesis and, in turn, reduced Ihh expression in chondrocytes.