Journal: iScience
Article Title: Extracellular ERp57 promotes fibronectin fibril formation during matrix assembly of articular cartilage
doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2025.114046
Figure Lengend Snippet: Cultured C28/I2 ERp57 KO cells exhibit a reduced extracellular network of fibronectin 1 but unchanged collagen II fibrils Immunofluorescence analyses of the extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by C28/I2 WT and C28/I2 ERp57 KO chondrocytes, examined after fixation (Cells + Matrix) or after decellularization and fixation (Matrix) to visualize the ECM fibrils without cell-derived signals. The figure shows the projections of z-stacks. Punctate Col II signals in non-decellularized samples (Cells + Matrix) reveal Col II-containing vesicles near/above the nuclei of chondrocytes. Fibronectin (FN1) and collagen II (Col II) fibrils were detected in WT samples, including cells and matrix, and also in decellularized samples containing only matrix. The FN1 network was significantly reduced in KO samples (A). In contrast, the Col II network was comparably well developed in ERp57 KO and WT cells (B). Quantitative analysis of the decellularized samples revealed a reduction in the mean staining intensity of the FN1 matrix by more than 60% in the KO samples compared to WT controls and no statistically significant difference in Col II staining in samples of both genotypes. (C) Statistical evaluation was performed with the Student’s t test. Data are mean ± SD. ∗∗∗∗ represents a p -value of <0.0001, ns indicates non-significant p -values. N ≥ 8 (number of experiments), n ≥ 30 (technical replicates). Scale bars = 20 μm.
Article Snippet: To analyze PDI, extracellular ERp57 or Col II-containing fibrils, a rabbit polyclonal PDI antibody (sc-20132, Santa Cruz Biotechnology, USA, 1:50), a rabbit polyclonal ERp57 antibody (NBP1-84796, Novus, Centennial, USA,1:200) or monoclonal mouse Collagen II antibodies (MAB8887, Merck Darmstadt, Germany, 1:200, or DSHB II6B3, 1:200) were applied.
Techniques: Cell Culture, Immunofluorescence, Produced, Derivative Assay, Staining