Regulation of the expression of FGF receptors and extracellular matrix associated genes in ATDC5 chondroprogenitor cells

Ordered processes of proliferation, differentiation and maturation of mesenchymal stem cells are required for chondrogenesis and the development of long bones. In vertebrate, Hedgehog (Hh) proteins are known to be involved in many key developmental processes such as chondrogenesis and bone development. However, molecular mechanism governing these processes, especially at the early stage, remains poorly characterized. We employed a mouse Illumina chip array to examine temporal expression patterns of cellular genes that are critically regulated by SHH in mouse chondroprogenitor cell line- ATDC5. The data from the DNA chip assay and RT-PCR analysis suggests that SHH controls the expression of a set of genes involved in FGF signaling and remodeling of extracellular matrix.