Chondrogenesis is a highly coordinated event in embryo development, adult homeostasis, and repair of the vertebrate cartilage. Fate decisions and differentiation of chondrocytes accompany differential expression of genes critical for each step of chondrogenesis. SOX9 is a master transcription factor that participates in sequential events in chondrogenesis by regulating a series of downstream factors in a stage-specific manner. SOX9 either works alone or in combination with downstream SOX transcription factors, SOX5 and SOX6 as chondrogenic SOX Trio. SOX9 is reduced in the articular cartilage of patients with osteoarthritis while highly maintained during tumorigenesis of cartilage and bone. Gene therapy using viral and non-viral vectors accompanied by tissue engineering (scaffolds) is a promising tool to regenerate impaired cartilage. Delivery of SOX9 or chondrogenic SOX Trio into cells produces efficient therapeutic effects on chondrogenesis and this event is facilitated by scaffolds. Non-viral vector-guided delivery systems encapsulated or loaded in mechanically stable solid scaffolds are useful for the regeneration of articular cartilage. Here we review major milestones and most recent studies focusing on regulation and function of chondrogenic SOX Trio, during chondrogenesis and cartilage regeneration, and on the development of advanced technologies in gene delivery with tissue engineering to improve efficiency of cartilage repair process.

中文翻译：

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SOX9 在软骨发育和再生过程中的调节和功能。

软骨形成是胚胎发育、成年体内平衡和脊椎动物软骨修复中高度协调的事件。软骨细胞的命运决定和分化伴随着对软骨形成每一步至关重要的基因的差异表达。SOX9 是一种主要转录因子，通过以特定阶段的方式调节一系列下游因子，参与软骨形成的连续事件。SOX9 可单独工作或与下游 SOX 转录因子 SOX5 和 SOX6 结合作为软骨形成 SOX Trio。SOX9 在骨关节炎患者的关节软骨中减少，而在软骨和骨骼的肿瘤发生过程中高度维持。使用病毒和非病毒载体伴随组织工程（支架）的基因治疗是再生受损软骨的有前途的工具。将 SOX9 或软骨形成 SOX Trio 递送到细胞中会对软骨形成产生有效的治疗效果，并且支架促进了这一事件。封装或装载在机械稳定的固体支架中的非病毒载体引导的递送系统可用于关节软骨的再生。在这里，我们回顾了主要里程碑和最近的研究，重点关注软骨形成和软骨再生过程中软骨形成 SOX Trio 的调节和功能，以及利用组织工程进行基因传递的先进技术的发展，以提高软骨修复过程的效率。封装或装载在机械稳定的固体支架中的非病毒载体引导的递送系统可用于关节软骨的再生。在这里，我们回顾了主要里程碑和最近的研究，重点关注软骨形成和软骨再生过程中软骨形成 SOX Trio 的调节和功能，以及利用组织工程进行基因传递的先进技术的发展，以提高软骨修复过程的效率。封装或装载在机械稳定的固体支架中的非病毒载体引导的递送系统可用于关节软骨的再生。在这里，我们回顾了主要里程碑和最近的研究，重点关注软骨形成和软骨再生过程中软骨形成 SOX Trio 的调节和功能，以及利用组织工程进行基因传递的先进技术的发展，以提高软骨修复过程的效率。