CHONDROITIN SULFATE AND JOINT DISEASE

Chondroitin sulfate is an important and major component of articular c artilage, where it occurs as part of the large proteoglycan, aggrecan. In the early stages of joint disease, both in animal models and in ma n, there are changes in chondroitin sulfate that affect the chain leng th and the pattern of sulfation. These changes can be detected by mono clonal antibodies and appear to reflect part of the cellular response by the chondrocytes to damage to the articular cartilage matrix. The s pecificity of the changes show that the biosynthesis of chondroitin su lfate is under tight cellular control in chondrocytes and suggests tha t selected patterns of sulphation within chains are expressed to suit different biological functions.