ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To investigate the overall expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) and adhesion molecule genes using a gene array technique in the joint capsule of a frozen shoulder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tissues from 20 human shoulder joint capsules were harvested intraoperatively from patients (15 primary frozen shoulders, 5 controls) in our hospital. The RNA was isolated from the capsule tissue and the gene expression of ECM and adhesion molecules was analyzed using an oligo-array technique. RESULTS: The expression of several genes of the ECM and cell adhesion molecules was significantly higher in the capsule tissue from patients with a frozen shoulder than the controls. The gene expression of the collagen V alpha1/alpha3, VI alpha2/alpha3, VIII alpha1/alpha2, XV alpha1, XVIII alpha1 and ECM proteins including CD 44, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9/14, osteonectin, veriscan, hyaluronan synthase (HAS)-1, extra-cellular matrix (ECM)-1, secreted phosphoprotein (SSP)-1, tenascin C (TNC), thrombospondin 2/4 was two times higher in the frozen shoulder than the control. Several cell adhesion molecules genes including catenin alpha1, seletin p, integrin alpha3, beta2, beta4, beta5 and laminin alpha4, alpha5 were also two times higher in the in the patients with a frozen shoulder than the control. CONCLUSION: The gene expression of several ECM proteins and adhesion molecules is significantly higher in patients with frozen shoulder.