Expression of tenascin in joint-associated tissues during development and postnatal growth

Abstract

The extracellular matrix protein, tenascin, is selectively expressed in a variety of connective tissues during development. In this study, the distribution of tenascin in tissues contributing to the knee joint during embryonic development and postnatal growth in the rat has been investigated by immunohistochemistry. In recently formed embryonic knee joints, tenascin expression was abundant in the territorial matrix of superficial articular cartilage. Sites of attachment of cruciate and patellar ligaments to cartilage were strongly stained; staining of ligaments weakened with distance from the attachment site. In rapidly growing 4-wk-old rats, tenascin was present in a fine line on the surfac..