Agrin, a signalling proteoglycan that triggers cartilage repair and acts as a WNT inhibitor
Francesco Dell'accio, Queen Mary University of London
Hosted by Professor Cosimo De Bari, Professor Dell'Accio will present to the IMS Seminar Series on 27th February in the Institute of Medical Sciences Level 7 Conference Room at 1.00pm. Further details can be found here.
Professor Dell’Accio is a clinical rheumatologist and a scientist whose interest is focused on cartilage biology. He has been active in the field of cartilage repair by autologous chondrocyte transplantation. Moving to the UK in 2003 he unveiled the molecular cascade activated by injury to the articular cartilage. His current research aims at understanding the role of individual signalling molecules in cartilage wound healing and homeostatic responses, with the ultimate goal to develop pharmacological interventions to restore cartilage integrity.Agrin is an extracellular proteoglycan which binds to specific receptors and induces intracellular signalling. Its function is well known in maintaining the clustering of acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction. We have discovered that Agrin, by engaging with a different set of receptors, induces cartilage formation, at least in part by modulating WNT signalling. Agrin supplementation supports the mobilization of specific joint morphogenetic cells and supports the repair of massive joint surface defects.
