SERPINA3 (ALPHA-1 ANTICHYMOTRYPSIN) IS ESSENTIAL FOR EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX PRODUCTION DURING CARTILAGE FORMATION AND REGULATES THE CHONDROGENIC TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR SOX9

Purpose (the aim of the study): The developing skeleton begins as cartilage, formed from condensation of early mesenchymal tissue which undergo chondrogenesis. This process can readily be modelled in vitro, by culturing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) at high density in a defined medium. Serine proteinase inhibitors (serpins) are a superfamily of structurally related proteins, the majority of which inhibit proteolytic enzymes. However, many now also have non-inhibitory roles ascribed. We have previously outlined the emerging role of (serpins) in cartilage biology and homeostasis.