J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2004 Sep;39(5):531-536.

Increased Expression of the TGF-beta Isoform and Changed Contents of Collagen in Tendon of Cerebral Palsy Patients

• Jung ST
• Seo HY
• Lee JJ
• Kim MS
• Kim YK
• Kim GJ

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study measured the expression level of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta ) isoform expression and the collagen composition within the Achilles tendon from cerebral palsy (CP) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Achilles tendons were obtained from 15 CP patients with spastic equinovarus. The presence of the TGF-beta isoform and the composition of the collagen were examined histologically, performing by immunohistochemical staining (IHS) and determining the mRNA expression level using a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: IHS revealed the presence of TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 expression in 2/15 cases and 4/15 cases respectively, and weak TGF-beta 3 expression in 7/15 cases. The TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 expression levels were uniform in all 15 cases according to RT-PCR, while TGF-beta 3 expression was observed in 8 out of 15 cases. IHS and RT-PCR showed strong TGF-beta 3 expression in 6/7 non-ambulatory patients. An immature form of collagen, type III collagen, was observed more abundantly in the non-ambulatory patients. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that contracture in CP may induce changes in the type of collagen via growth factors such as TGF-beta .

Keyword

Cerebral palsy; Achilles tendon; Transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-beta); Collagen

MeSH Terms

Achilles Tendon
Cerebral Palsy*
Clubfoot
Collagen Type III
Collagen*
Contracture
Humans
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
Muscle Spasticity
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
RNA, Messenger
Tendons*
Transforming Growth Factor beta*
Collagen
Collagen Type III
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
RNA, Messenger
Transforming Growth Factor beta