Metalloproteases and inhibitors in arthritic diseases

The effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on matrix metalloproteinases levels in patients with osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to determine and comparatively evaluate the effects of three different non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the levels of metalloproteinases MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-8, as well as on their tissue inhibitor TIMP-1, in patients suffering from idiopathic osteoarthritis. The effect of these drugs on the articular cartilage and the probable use of MMPs and TIMP-1 as markers of disease and treatment was also investigated.

METHODS

Thirty-six patients with OA were selected and allocated to three groups on the basis of their disease location. All patients received anti-inflammatory treatment with special selective COX-2 inhibitors, i.e. celecoxib, meloxicam, aceclofenac. Each drug was given to every patient for three months following a randomized order of administration. Serum levels of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-8 and TIMP-1, and ratios MMP-1/TIMP-1, MMP-3/TIMP-1, MMP-8/TIMP-1 were measured before and after treatment.

RESULTS

The use of aceclofenac resulted in no significant variation in either MMPs concentration and MMPs/TIMP-1 ratio. This outcome concerns the three groups and the 36 patients that form them. After all patients had received all three NSAIDs, MMPs and TIMP-1, these parameters were compared to their initial and final median values. A significant reduction in MMP-3 was found so in all OA patients as in the group of knee OA patients.

CONCLUSIONS

1. Of the MMPs studied, MMP-3 levels were found to be significantly reduced after NSAIDs treatment. Therefore, serum MMP-3 levels in OA patients could be proven to be a useful evaluating marker of treatment on the cartilage level. 2. No significant differences were observed among NSAIDs administered with regards to their effect on MMPs and TIMP-1 concentration.

Matrix Metalloproteinase Gene Activation Resulting from Disordred Epigenetic Mechanisms in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are implicated in the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial fibroblasts (SFs) produce matrix-degrading enzymes, including MMPs, which facilitate cartilage destruction in the affected joints in RA. Epigenetic mechanisms contribute to change in the chromatin state, resulting in an alteration of gene transcription. Recently, MMP gene activation has been shown to be caused in RASFs by the dysregulation of epigenetic changes, such as histone modifications, DNA methylation, and microRNA (miRNA) signaling. In this paper, we review the role of MMPs in the pathogenesis of RA as well as the disordered epigenetic mechanisms regulating MMP gene activation in RASFs.

Tormentic Acid Inhibits IL-1β-Induced Inflammatory Response in Human Osteoarthritic Chondrocytes

The pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) plays critical roles in pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Tormentic acid (TA), a triterpene isolated from Rosa rugosa, has anti-inflammatory activity. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of TA on OA is still unclear. So, in the present study, we examined the effect of TA on IL-1β-induced inflammatory response in primary human OA chondrocytes. Our results demonstrated that TA significantly decreased the IL-1β-stimulated expression of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and MMP-13. It also inhibited the IL-1β-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), as well as the production of NO and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in human OA chondrocytes. Furthermore, TA greatly inhibited the IL-1β-induced NF-κB activation. In conclusion, this study is the first to demonstrate the anti-inflammatory activity of TA in human OA chondrocytes. TA significantly inhibits the IL-1β-induced inflammatory response by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway. Thus, TA may be a potential agent in the treatment of OA.

Ethanolic extracts of babandotan leaves (Ageratum conyzoides L.) prevents inflammation and proteoglycan degradation by inhibiting TNF-α and MMP-9 on osteoarthritis rats induced by monosodium iodoacetate

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the effects of Ageratum conyzoides L. on the monosodium iodoacetate induced osteoarthritis rats.

METHODS

Thin layer chromatography was performed to analyze the constituents of the babandotan extract leaves. White male Sprague-Dawley rats used in this study were divided into 6 groups: normal control and negative control groups, both given 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose; the positive control group that was given glucosamine and chondroitin suspension (486 mg/200 g B.W.); the 3 dose variation extract groups including dose 1, 2, and 3 that were given 40, 80, and 160 mg/200 g B.W. respectively on day 29 until 50. All the groups were induced with 0.05 mL monosodium iodoacetate (20 mg/mL) on day 1, except normal control induced by saline. Measurement of edema volume of rat knees was performed on day 0, 8, 15, 22, 29, 43, and 50. Hematology data was measured at day 1, 29 and 50. Serum was collected at day 50 to evaluate TNF-α and MMP-9 by ELISA. Cartilage histopathology was evaluated by staining with H&E and Safranin-O-fast green staining on day 50.

RESULTS

The babandotan leaves extract dose 2 (80 mg/200 g B.W.) and dose 3 (160 mg/200 g B.W.) could decrease the edema volume, increase the area and thickness of articular cartilage, and increase proteoglycan level. Particularly, dose 3 (160 mg/200 g B.W.) of extract babandotan leaves were able to significantly decrease the number of leukocytes, lymphocytes and udem volume, and decrease TNF alpha and MMP-9 levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Babandotan leaves extract can recover inflammation and cartilages degradation by inhibiting TNF-α in inflammation processes and MMP-9 in the collagenase reaction in the cartilages.

Effects of Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor on Stress-Shielded Tendons

Mechanical stress plays an important role in preserving the integrity of bone and ligament. Stress shielding reduces mechanical load on bone or tendons, resulting in tissue degradation. Previous studies showed that deterioration of the tendon structure during stress shielding is associated with elevated expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. This study examined the therapeutic potential of the TNF inhibitor etanercept in preventing morphologic deterioration of the Achilles tendon after stress shielding. Rats (N=48) were exposed to stress shielding of the left Achilles tendon and treated with etanercept or phosphate-buffered saline for 2 or 4 weeks. The right Achilles tendons were used as controls. After 2 or 4 weeks, stress-shielded tendons appeared less smooth than control tendons, and the stress-shielded tendons formed adhesions with surrounding tissues. Transmission electron microscopy also showed disarray of the collagen fibrils and a significant increase in the number of small-diameter collagen fibrils. These changes were associated with increased expression of TNF-α, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13, MMP-3, collagen I, and collagen III. Treatment with 2 weeks of etanercept injection reduced morphologic changes in collagen organization and structure induced by stress shielding. Etanercept treatment also attenuated upregulation of MMP-13, MMP-3, and collagen III levels. However, no significant difference was observed between the etanercept group and the phosphate-buffered saline group after 4 weeks of treatment. The current findings show that TNF-α inhibition can protect against the early stages of tendon tissue remodeling induced by stress shielding, but additional interventions may be necessary to prevent tendon degeneration with long-term stress shielding. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(1):49-55.].

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory joint disease, which can cause cartilage and bone damage as well as disability. Early diagnosis is key to optimal therapeutic success, particularly in patients with well-characterised risk factors for poor outcomes such as high disease activity, presence of autoantibodies, and early joint damage. Treatment algorithms involve measuring disease activity with composite indices, applying a treatment-to-target strategy, and use of conventional, biological, and newz non-biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. After the treatment target of stringent remission (or at least low disease activity) is maintained, dose reduction should be attempted. Although the prospects for most patients are now favourable, many still do not respond to current therapies. Accordingly, new therapies are urgently required. In this Seminar, we describe current insights into genetics and aetiology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, assessment, therapeutic agents, and treatment strategies together with unmet needs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Therapeutic potential of compound K as an IKK inhibitor with implications for osteoarthritis prevention: an in silico and in vitro study

Ginsenosides have been used traditionally as an oriental medicine. However, the anti-osteoarthritic effect of ginsenoside compound K (hereafter referred to as CK) has not been reported. Therefore, in this study, the protective effects of CK were evaluated in silico and in vitro using H₂O₂-stimulated MC3T3-E1 cells by measuring the levels of proinflammatory cytokines responsible for articular cartilage degradation. In silico results demonstrated that, among the selected ginsenosides, CK is a non-toxic drug-like molecule with strong binding affinity for selected cytokine-activated kinase such as IkBα kinase (IKK). The molecular binding energy of CK with the active sites of IKK suggests anti-osteoarthritic functions. Cultured H₂O₂-stimulated MC3T3-E1 cells that were exposed to CK showed dramatically increased expression of osteoblast differentiation markers such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, type I collagen (Col-I) content, and mineralization. During aging, H₂O₂ also leads to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO), which play important roles in the development of osteoarthritis (OA). Therefore, the effect of CK on ROS and NO generation was also examined. Our results showed that CK dose-dependently inhibited H₂O₂-induced ROS and NO production in MC3T3-E1 cells. Moreover, qRT-PCR data showed that CK increased expression of osteogenic markers such as ALP and Col-I but decreased expression of inflammatory-related genes including IKK and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) in a dose-dependent manner in H₂O₂-stimulated MC3T3-E1 cells. The findings of this study suggest the use of CK as a novel protective and therapeutic agent in AO.

Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Production by Immortalized Human Chondrocyte Lines

We reported at the Keynote Forum of Immunology Summit-2015 that recombinant human (rh) TNF-α or rhIL-6 stimulated production of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the T/C28a2 and C-28/I2 human immortalized chondrocyte cell lines. Furthermore, we reported that tocilizumab (TCZ), a fully humanized monoclonal antibody which neutralizes IL-6-mediated signaling, inhibited the rhIL-6-mediated increase in the production of MMP-9. IL-6 is also a known activator of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. In that regard, we evaluated the effect of rhIL-6 on total and phosphorylated Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription by these chondrocyte lines which showed that whereas STAT3 was constitutively phosphorylated in T/C28a2 chondrocytes, rhIL-6 activated STAT3 in C-28/I2 chondrocytes. The finding that rhIL-6 increased the production of MMP-9 by human immortalized chondrocyte cell lines may have important implications with respect to the destruction of articular cartilage in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Thus, the markedly elevated level of IL-6 in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis sera and synovial fluid would be expected to generate significant MMP-9 to cause the degradation of articular cartilage extracellular matrix proteins. The finding that TCZ suppressed rhIL-6-mediated MMP-9 production suggests that TCZ, currently employed in the medical therapy of rheumatoid arthritis, could be considered as a drug for osteoarthritis.

The Function and Roles of ADAMTS-7 in Inflammatory Diseases

The ADAMTS proteinases are a group of multidomain and secreted metalloproteinases containing the thrombospondin motifs. ADAMTS-7 is a member of ADAMTS family and plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of arthritis. Overexpression of ADAMTS-7 gene promotes the breakdown of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) matrix and accelerates the progression of both surgically induced osteoarthritis and collagen-induced arthritis. Moreover, ADAMTS-7 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) form a positive feedback loop in osteoarthritis. More significantly, granulin-epithelin precursor, a growth factor has important roles in bone development and bone-associated diseases, disturbs the interaction between ADAMTS-7 and COMP, and prevents COMP degradation. This review is based on our results and provides an overview of current knowledge of ADAMTS-7, including its structure, function, gene regulation, and inflammatory diseases involvement.

Disease-modifying effects of phosphocitrate and phosphocitrate-β-ethyl ester on partial meniscectomy-induced osteoarthritis

Background

It is believed that phosphocitrate (PC) exerts its disease-modifying effects on osteoarthritis (OA) by inhibiting the formation of crystals. However, recent findings suggest that PC exerts its disease-modifying effect, at least in part, through a crystal-independent action. This study sought to examine the disease-modifying effects of PC and its analogue PC-β-ethyl ester (PC-E) on partial meniscectomy-induced OA and the structure-activity relationship.

Methods

Calcification- and proliferation-inhibitory activities were examined in OA fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) culture. Disease-modifying effects were examined using Hartley guinea pigs undergoing partial meniscectomy. Cartilage degeneration was examined with Indian ink, safranin-O, and picrosirius red. Levels of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 5 (ADAMTS5), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5), and cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) were examined with immunostaining. The effects of PC-E and PC on gene expressions in OA FLSs were examined with microarray. Results are expressed as mean ± standard deviation and analyzed using Student’s t test or Wilcoxon rank sum test.

Results

PC-E was slightly less powerful than PC as a calcification inhibitor but as powerful as PC in the inhibition of OA FLSs proliferation. PC significantly inhibited cartilage degeneration in the partial meniscectomied right knee. PC-E was less powerful than PC as a disease-modifying drug, especially in the inhibition of cartilage degeneration in the non-operated left knee. PC significantly reduced the levels of ADAMTS5, MMP-13 and CCL5, whereas PC-E reduced the levels of ADAMTS5 and CCL5. Microarray analyses revealed that PC-E failed to downregulate the expression of many PC-downregulated genes classified in angiogenesis and inflammatory response.

Conclusions

PC is a disease-modifying drug for posttraumatic OA therapy. PC exerts its disease-modifying effect through two independent actions: inhibiting pathological calcification and modulating the expression of many genes implicated in OA. The β-carboxyl group of PC plays an important role in the inhibition of cartilage degeneration, little role in the inhibition of FLSs proliferation, and a moderate role in the inhibition of FLSs-mediated calcification.

Blockade of recombinant human IL-6 by tocilizumab suppresses matrix metalloproteinase-9 production in the C28/I2 immortalized human chondrocyte cell line

Two immortalized human juvenile chondrocyte cell lines, T/C28a2 and C28/I2, were employed to determine the extent to which recombinant human (rh) IL-6 or rh-TNF-α increased the production of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). The effect of rhIL-6 on neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) was also assessed. Although C28/I2 chondrocytes incubated with rhIL-6 (50 ng/ml) increased MMP-9 production which could not be mimicked by the T/C28a2 chondrocyte line, the effect of rhTNF-α on MMP-9 was more robust than with rhIL-6. The combinations of rhIL-6 and soluble IL-6 receptor-α (sIL-6Rα) or rhIL-6 and tocilizumab (TCZ), a fully-humanized recombinant monoclonal antibody that neutralizes the interaction between IL-6 and IL-6R significantly reduced MMP-9 production by C28/I2 chondrocytes. However, TCZ had no effect on rhTNF-α-induced MMP-9 production. By contrast, rhIL-6 did not increase the production of NGAL by C28/I2 chondrocytes although the number of NGAL-positive cells was significantly reduced by sIL-6R compared to its control group, but not by the combination of rhIL-6 plus TCZ compared to rhIL-6. In summary, these results showed that rhIL-6 stimulated the production of MMP-9, but not NGAL, in the C28/I2 chondrocyte line. TCZ or sIL-6Rα suppressed rhIL-6-induced MMP-9 production.

Effects of deer bone extract on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine and cartilage-related genes in monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritic rats

Deer bone extract has the potential to relieve the discomfort or the articular cartilaginous damage associated with osteoarthritic (OA) and may be useful as a natural supplement for OA treatment without serious side effects. We analyzed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine and cartilage-related genes in monosodium iodoacetate-induced OA rats. Increases in the levels of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α were significantly inhibited by the administration of deer bone extract (p < 0.05). Decreases in the expression of collagen type II (COL2) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) mRNAs in the cartilage were significantly inhibited by deer bone extract treatment (p < 0.05). The deer bone extract significantly suppressed the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) mRNAs in the cartilage. The deer bone extract induced the up-regulation of COL2 and TIMP mRNAs and the down-regulation of MMP mRNAs by suppressing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNAs.

COMP does not directly modify the expression of genes involved in cartilage homeostasis in contrast to several other cartilage matrix proteins

OBJECTIVE

We investigated whether COMP may modify cartilage metabolism and play a role as an endogenous disease aggravating factor in OA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Full-length and momomeric COMP was recombinantly expressed in human embryonic kidney cells and purified it via affinity chromatography. Purified COMP was used to stimulate either primary human chondrocytes or cartilage explants. Changes in the expression profiles of inflammatory genes, differentiation markers and growth factors were examined by immunoassay and by quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Incubation of primary human chondrocytes or cartilage explants in the presence of COMP did not induce statistically significant changes in the expression of IL-6, MMP1, MMP13, collagen I, collagen II, collagen X, TGF-β1 and BMP-2.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to collagen II and matrilin-3, COMP lacks the ability to trigger a proinflammatory response in chondrocytes, although it carries an RGD motif and can bind to integrins. COMP is a well-accepted biomarker for osteoarthritis but increased COMP levels do not necessarily correlate with inflammation.

Inhibitors of CXC chemokine receptor type 4: putative therapeutic approaches in inflammatory diseases

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The CXC chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), which is a G-protein coupled receptor, and its ligand CXCL12 play an important role in neutrophil homeostasis and inflammation. This review focuses on involvement of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis in inflammation and different inflammatory diseases and depicts that blocking CXCR4 is an attractive therapeutic strategy.

RECENT FINDINGS

Binding of CXCL12 to CXCR4 retains immature neutrophils in the bone marrow and also participates in leukocyte recruitment into inflamed tissue. The CXCL12/CXCR4 axis is also involved in several inflammatory processes and diseases including the WHIM (warts, hypogammaglobulinemia, infections and myelokathexis) syndrome, HIV, autoimmune disorders, ischemic injury, and pulmonary fibrosis.

SUMMARY

Based on these findings, blocking CXCR4 seems to be a therapeutic strategy in inflammatory diseases. Several promising CXCR4 antagonists are in different stages of development and clinical trials. Currently, only plerixafor (AMD3100) has been approved for short-term application.

Quantification of tumor necrosis factor-α and matrix metalloproteinases-3 in synovial fluid by a fiber-optic particle plasmon resonance sensor

The availability of techniques for sensitive detection of early stage osteoarthritis is critical for improving patient health. This study illustrates the feasibility of a fiber-optic particle plasmon resonance (FOPPR) sensor with gold nanoparticles on the unclad region of optical fiber probes for analysis of osteoarthritis biomarkers, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and matrix metalloproteinases-3 (MMP-3). Results show that the sensor can achieve a refractive index resolution of 5.18 × 10⁻⁷ RIU and limits of detection for TNF-α and MMP-3 as low as 8.22 pg ml⁻¹ (0.48 pM) and 34.3 pg ml⁻¹ (1.56 pM), respectively. Additionally, the FOPPR sensor shows a good correlation in determining TNF-α and MMP-3 in synovial fluid with the clinically accepted enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Finally, given the FOPPR sensor's nature of being low-cost, label-free, highly sensitive, real-time, simple-to-operate, the FOPPR sensor could offer potential to monitor biomarkers of various diseases, and provide an ideal technical tool for point-of-care diagnostics.

Chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of S-methylisothiourea, an inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor in cartilage and synovial explants model of osteoarthritis

Objectives

To study the chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory potential of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor S-methylisothiourea (SMT) in in-vitro model.

Methods

Rabbit cartilage explants were stimulated with recombinant human interleukin 1β (rhIL-1β), and the chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of SMT were investigated. Rat synovial explants were stimulated with LPS, and the anti-inflammatory effect of SMT on synovium was studied. To examine the role of SMT in synovial inflammation mediated cartilage damage, LPS stimulated synovial explants were cultured with dead cartilage with or without SMT for 72 h. The culture medium was analysed for sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and hydroxyproline as measure of proteoglycans and collagen degradation, respectively.

Key findings

SMT significantly reduced GAGs, hydroxyproline, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), prostaglindin E2 (PGE2) and nitrite release in stimulated rabbit cartilage media indicating chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of SMT in osteoarthritis (OA). Stimulated synovial explants caused release of nitrite, PGE2, IL-1β and TNF-α in the medium which were significantly reduced by SMT indicating its anti-inflammatory action. SMT significantly reduced GAGs and hydroxyproline in medium and shown protective effect against synovium-mediated cartilage damage.

Conclusions

SMT inhibited cartilage degradation, synovial inflammation and synovium-mediated cartilage damage, suggesting that SMT may be an agent for pharmacological intervention in OA.

The evolution of embryo implantation

Embryo implantation varies widely in placental mammals. We review this variation in mammals with a special focus on two features: the depth of implantation and embryonic diapause. We discuss the two major types of implantation depth, superficial and interstitial, and map this character on a well-resolved molecular phylogenetic tree of placental mammals. We infer that relatively deep interstitial implantation has independently evolved at least eight times within placental mammals. Moreover, the superficial type of implantation represents the ancestral state for placental mammals. In addition, we review the genes involved in various phases of implantation, and suggest a future direction in investigating the molecular evolution of implantation-related genes.

Fusion protein linkers: property, design and functionality

As an indispensable component of recombinant fusion proteins, linkers have shown increasing importance in the construction of stable, bioactive fusion proteins. This review covers the current knowledge of fusion protein linkers and summarizes examples for their design and application. The general properties of linkers derived from naturally-occurring multi-domain proteins can be considered as the foundation in linker design. Empirical linkers designed by researchers are generally classified into 3 categories according to their structures: flexible linkers, rigid linkers, and in vivo cleavable linkers. Besides the basic role in linking the functional domains together (as in flexible and rigid linkers) or releasing the free functional domain in vivo (as in in vivo cleavable linkers), linkers may offer many other advantages for the production of fusion proteins, such as improving biological activity, increasing expression yield, and achieving desirable pharmacokinetic profiles.

Lactoferricin mediates anti-inflammatory and anti-catabolic effects via inhibition of IL-1 and LPS activity in the intervertebral disc

The catabolic cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) and endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are well-known inflammatory mediators involved in degenerative disc disease, and inhibitors of IL-1 and LPS may potentially be used to slow or prevent disc degeneration in vivo. Here, we elucidate the striking anti-catabolic and anti-inflammatory effects of bovine lactoferricin (LfcinB) in the intervertebral disc (IVD) via antagonism of both IL-1 and LPS-mediated catabolic activity using in vitro and ex vivo analyses. Specifically, we demonstrate the biological counteraction of LfcinB against IL-1 and LPS-mediated proteoglycan (PG) depletion, matrix-degrading enzyme production, and enzyme activity in long-term (alginate beads) and short-term (monolayer) culture models using bovine and human nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. LfcinB significantly attenuates the IL-1 and LPS-mediated suppression of PG production and synthesis, and thus restores PG accumulation and pericellular matrix formation. Simultaneously, LfcinB antagonizes catabolic factor mediated induction of multiple cartilage-degrading enzymes, including MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, ADAMTS-4, and ADAMTS-5, in bovine NP cells at both mRNA and protein levels. LfcinB also suppresses the catabolic factor-induced stimulation of oxidative and inflammatory factors such as iNOS, IL-6, and toll-like receptor-2 (TLR-2) and TLR-4. Finally, the ability of LfcinB to antagonize IL-1 and LPS-mediated suppression of PG is upheld in an en bloc intradiscal microinjection model followed by ex vivo organ culture using both mouse and rabbit IVD tissue, suggesting a potential therapeutic benefit of LfcinB on degenerative disc disease in the future.

Vorinostat, a HDAC inhibitor, showed anti-osteoarthritic activities through inhibition of iNOS and MMP expression, p38 and ERK phosphorylation and blocking NF-κB nuclear translocation

Overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). In present study, we investigated whether vorinostat can inhibit the catabolic effects of IL-1β in vitro, especially the inhibition of MMPs and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) through the attenuation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in human chondrocytes. Human OA chondrocytes were either left untreated or treated with various concentrations of vorinostat followed by incubation with IL-1β (5ng/mL). Effects of vorinostat on IL-1β-induced gene and protein expression of iNOS, MMP-1, MMP-13 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were verified by quantitative real time-PCR and Western blot analysis. Production of NO, MMP-1, MMP-13 and TIMP-1 released in culture supernatant was estimated using commercially available kits. The roles of NF-κB and MAPK pathways in the regulation of targeted genes and the mechanism involved in vorinostat mediated modulation of these genes were determined by Western blot using specific antibodies. We found that vorinostat down-regulated iNOS, MMP-1 and MMP-13 expression and up-regulated TIMP-1 expression in human OA chondrocytes. In addition, the release of NO, MMP-1 and MMP-13 secreted from IL-1β stimulated chondrocytes was also suppressed by vorinostat. Interestingly, vorinostat selectively inhibited IL-1β-induced p38 and ERK1/2 activation without affecting JNK activation. Furthermore, we observed that vorinostat inhibited NF-κB pathway by suppressing the degradation of I-κBα and attenuating NF-κB p65 translocation to the nucleus. These results suggest that vorinostat may be a promising therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of OA.

CIINE Reflects Collagenase-Specific CII Breakdown in Cartilage Explant and Whole Body of Canine

To evaluate collagenase inhibitors for the treatment of osteoarthritis and to correlate them with clinical pathology, canine cartilage explant and anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) models were examined by quantifying the CII neoepitope (CIINE). This peptide is a putative marker for collagenase-specific type II collagen (CII) degradation, which is a critical step in osteoarthritis pathology.

The concentration of CIINE in supernatants of canine cartilage explants showed increase upon IL-1β—stimulation and collagenase inhibitors suppressed this elevation of CIINE. In the canine ACLT model, levels of CIINE in urine (uCIINE) increased as lesions of knee joint cartilage developed and decreased in response to collagenase inhibitors.

Our results suggest that CIINE reflects collagenase-specific CII degradation in canine explants and whole bodies. It is anticipated that these data will establish a tool for clarifying and bridging the efficacy and mechanism of collagenase inhibitors at the preclinical stage of drug discovery.

Effect of Angelica sinensis Polysaccharides on Osteoarthritis In Vivo and In Vitro: A Possible Mechanism to Promote Proteoglycans Synthesis

This study investigated the effect of Angelica sinensis polysaccharides (APS-3c) on rat osteoarthritis (OA) model in vivo and rat interleukin-1-beta- (IL-1β-) stimulated chondrocytes in vitro. APS-3c was administrated into rat OA knee joints and had protective effects on rat OA cartilage in vivo. Primary rat articular chondrocytes were cotreated with APS-3c and IL-1β   in vitro. 2~50 μg/mL APS-3c had no effect on chondrocytes viability, whereas it increased the proteoglycans (PGs) synthesis inhibited by IL-1β. Microarray analysis showed that the significant changes were concentrated in the genes which were involved in PGs synthesis. RT-PCR confirmed that treatment with APS-3c increased the mRNA expression of aggrecan and glycosyltransferases (GTs) inhibited by IL-1β but did not affect the mRNA expression of matrix-degrading enzymes. These results indicate that APS-3c can improve PGs synthesis of chondrocytes on rat OA model in vivo and IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes in vitro, which is due to the promotion of the expression of aggrecan and GTs involved in PGs synthesis but not the inhibition of the expression of matrix-degrading enzymes. Our findings suggest the clinical relevance of APS-3c in the prospective of future alternative medical treatment for OA.

Membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases: key mediators of leukocyte function

Leukocytes are major cellular effectors of the immune response. To accomplish this task, these cells display a vast arsenal of proteinases, among which, members of the MMP family are especially important. Leukocytes express several members of the MMP family, including secreted- and membrane-anchored MT- MMPs, which synergistically orchestrate an appropriate proteolytic reaction that ultimately modulates immunological responses. The MT-MMP subfamily comprises TM- and GPI-anchored proteinases, which are targeted to well-defined membrane microdomains and exhibit different substrate specificities. Whereas much information exists on the biological roles of secreted MMPs in leukocytes, the roles of MT-MMPs remain relatively obscure. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the expression of MT-MMPs in leukocyte and their contribution to the immune responses and to pathological conditions.

SIRT1, a class III histone deacetylase, regulates TNF-α-induced inflammation in human chondrocytes

OBJECTIVE

The present study was performed to elucidate the possible role of SIRT1 signaling in joint inflammation in human articular chondrocytes.

DESIGN

Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting were performed to detect gene products and proteins involved in tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)-induced inflammation and cartilage degradation in human primary chondrocytes. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 activity was evaluated by gelatin zymography. Overexpression and knockdown of SIRT1 were also performed to investigate whether SIRT1 is associated with the anti-inflammatory activity of resveratrol in chondrocytes.

RESULTS

Resveratrol dose-dependently inhibited TNF-α-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13 and PGE(2) production in human chondrocytes. Moreover, MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity was increased by treatment with TNF-α; however, SIRT1 activation decreased the proinflammatory effects induced by TNF-α. In addition, treatment of SIRT1 activator and overexpression of SIRT1 inhibited the expression and activation of the main proinflammatory regulator NF-κB, which was increased by TNF-α. When SIRT1 was overexpressed in chondrocytes, the anti-inflammatory action of SIRT1 was similar to that exerted by resveratrol.

CONCLUSIONS

SIRT1 activation deacetylates and inactivates NF-κB, and thereby, exerts an anti-inflammatory effect on chondrocytes, suggesting that SIRT1 activators could be explored as potential treatments for arthritis.

The identification of CD163 expressing phagocytic chondrocytes in joint cartilage and its novel scavenger role in cartilage degradation

Background

Cartilage degradation is a typical characteristic of arthritis. This study examined whether there was a subset of phagocytic chondrocytes that expressed the specific macrophage marker, CD163, and investigated their role in cartilage degradation.

Methods

Cartilage from the knee and temporomandibular joints of Sprague-Dawley rats was harvested. Cartilage degradation was experimentally-induced in rat temporomandibular joints, using published biomechanical dental methods. The expression levels of CD163 and inflammatory factors within cartilage, and the ability of CD163⁺ chondrocytes to conduct phagocytosis were investigated. Cartilage from the knees of patients with osteoarthritis and normal cartilage from knee amputations was also investigated.

Results

In the experimentally-induced degrading cartilage from temporomandibular joints, phagocytes were capable of engulfing neighboring apoptotic and necrotic cells, and the levels of CD163, TNF-α and MMPs were all increased (P<0.05). However, the levels of ACP-1, NO and ROS, which relate to cellular digestion capability were unchanged (P>0.05). CD163⁺ chondrocytes were found in the cartilage mid-zone of temporomandibular joints and knee from healthy, three-week old rats. Furthermore, an increased number of CD163⁺ chondrocytes with enhanced phagocytic activity were present in Col-II⁺ chondrocytes isolated from the degraded cartilage of temporomandibular joints in the eight-week experimental group compared with their age-matched controls. Increased number with enhanced phagocytic activity of CD163⁺ chondrocytes were also found in isolated Col-II⁺ chondrocytes stimulated with TNF-α (P<0.05). Mid-zone distribution of CD163⁺ cells accompanied with increased expression of CD163 and TNF-α were further confirmed in the isolated Col-II⁺ chondrocytes from the knee cartilage of human patients with osteoarthritis, in contrast to the controls (both P<0.05).

Conclusions

An increased number of CD163⁺ chondrocytes with enhanced phagocytic activity were discovered within degraded joint cartilage, indicating a role in eliminating degraded tissues. Targeting these cells provides a new strategy for the treatment of arthritis.

Circulating fibrocytes contribute to the pathogenesis of collagen antibody-induced arthritis

OBJECTIVE

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease resulting in joint inflammation. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes in affected joints are responsible for pannus formation and cytokine/chemokine production, resulting in leukocyte recruitment and bone/cartilage destruction. Previously, we identified a multipotent stem cell population of activated fibrocytes in the blood of patients with RA that may have a role in disease pathogenesis, perhaps as fibroblast-like synoviocyte precursors. The aim of this study was to further characterize the contribution of circulating fibrocytes to the pathogenesis of RA.

METHODS

Circulating fibrocytes were isolated from mice with collagen-induced arthritis and transferred intravenously into recipient mice with collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA). The activation status of circulating fibrocytes was determined using multidimensional phosphoflow cytometric analysis of the signaling effectors STAT-5, STAT-1, AKT, and JNK. Circulating fibrocyte trafficking and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity were assessed in real time using fluorescence molecular tomography, specifically labeling circulating fibrocytes with CellVue Maroon and measuring MMP activity using MMPSense 680.

RESULTS

The numbers of circulating fibrocytes were increased early during the onset of CAIA, concomitant with their activation, as measured by phosphorylation of STAT-5. Adoptive transfer of circulating fibrocytes augmented disease scores and increased class II major histocompatibility complex expression and peripheral blood phosphoactivation profiles in recipient mice with CAIA. Notably, adoptively transferred fluorescence-labeled circulating fibrocytes rapidly migrated into the affected joints of recipient mice with CAIA, and this was associated with augmented neutrophil recruitment into affected joints and MMP activation.

CONCLUSION

Circulating fibrocytes migrate to joints and influence the onset of disease processes in arthritis.

Species-specific biological effects of FGF-2 in articular cartilage: implication for distinct roles within the FGF receptor family

Existing literature demonstrates that fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) exerts opposing, contradictory biological effects on cartilage homeostasis in different species. In human articular cartilage, FGF-2 plays a catabolic and anti-anabolic role in cartilage homeostasis, driving homeostasis toward degeneration and osteoarthritis (OA). In murine joints, however, FGF-2 has been identified as an anabolic mediator as ablation of the FGF-2 gene demonstrated increased susceptibility to OA. There have been no previous studies specifically addressing species-specific differences in FGF-2-mediated biological effects. In this study, we provide a mechanistic understanding by which FGF-2 exerts contradictory biological effects in human versus murine tissues. Using human articular cartilage (ex vivo) and a medial meniscal destabilization (DMM) animal model (in vivo), species-specific expression patterns of FGFR receptors (FGFRs) are elucidated between human and murine articular cartilage. In the murine OA model followed by intra-articular injection of FGF-2, we further correlate FGFR profiles to changes in behavioral pain perception, proteoglycan content in articular cartilage, and production of inflammatory (CD11b) and angiogenic (VEGF) mediators in synovium lining cells. Our results suggest that the fundamental differences in cellular responses between human and murine tissues may be secondary to distinctive expression patterns of FGFRs that eventually determine biological outcomes in the presence of FGF-2. The complex interplay of FGFRs and the downstream signaling cascades induced by FGF-2 in human cartilage should add caution to the use of this particular growth factor for biological therapy in the future.

Biological effects of the plant-derived polyphenol resveratrol in human articular cartilage and chondrosarcoma cells

The natural phytoestrogen resveratrol (RSV) may have therapeutic potential for arthritic conditions. RSV is chondroprotective for articular cartilage in rabbit models for arthritis, but its biological effects on human articular cartilage and chondrosarcoma cells are unknown. Effects of RSV on human articular cartilage homeostasis were studied by assessing production of matrix-degrading enzymes (MMP-13, ADAMTS4, and ADAMTS5), as well as proteoglycan production and synthesis. The counteractions of RSV against catabolic factors (e.g., FGF-2 or IL-1β) were examined by in vitro and ex vivo using monolayer, three-dimensional alginate beads and cartilage explants cultures, respectively. RSV improves cell viability of articular chondrocytes and effectively antagonizes cartilage-degrading protease production that was initiated by catabolic and/or anti-anabolic cytokines in human articular chondrocytes. RSV significantly also enhances BMP7-promoted proteoglycan synthesis as assessed by (35) S-sulfate incorporation. Protein-DNA interaction arrays suggest that RSV inhibits the activation of transcription factors involved in inflammation and cartilage catabolic signaling pathways, including direct downstream regulators of MAPK (e.g., AP-1, PEA3) and NFκB. RSV selectively compromises survival of human chondrosarcoma cells, but not primary articular chondrocytes, revealing cell-specific activity of RSV on non-tumorigenic versus tumor-derived cells. We propose that RSV exerts its chondroprotective functions, in part, by deactivating p53-induced apoptosis in human primary chondrocytes, but not human chondrosarcoma. Our findings suggest that RSV has potential as a unique biologic treatment for both prevention and treatment of cartilage degenerative diseases.

Yeast hydrolysate protects cartilage via stimulation of type II collagen synthesis and suppression of MMP-13 production

Type II collagen (COL II) is one of the primary components of hyaline cartilage and plays a key role in maintaining chondrocyte function. COL II is the principal target of destruction, and matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) have a major role in arthritis. In the present study, we investigated the chondroctye protection effects of specific fraction of yeast hydrolysate ((10-30 kDa molecular weight peptides). The mRNA expression of COL II was significantly increased in the YH-treated group compared to the control at concentrations above 50 µg/ml, respectively. The 200 µg/ml YH-treated group (3.43 ± 0.23 µg/ml) showed significantly reduced glycosaminoglycan (GAG) degradation relative to that in the interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-treated control group (4.72 ± 0.05 µg/ml). In the YH-treated group, MMP-13 level was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner compared to the IL-1β-treated group without YH treatment. However, MMP-1 and MMP-3 level were not different from that of control. Under the same conditions, we also examined mRNA levels of COL II. The mRNA expression of COL II was significantly higher in the YH-treated group than in the IL-1β-treated control group at concentrations above 100 µg/ml. In conclusion, YH stimulated COL II synthesis and significantly inhibited MMP-13 and GAG degradation caused by IL-1β treatment.

Fibroblast growth factor-2 promotes catabolism via FGFR1-Ras-Raf-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 axis that coordinates with the PKCδ pathway in human articular chondrocytes

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) has been found to play an anti-anabolic and/or a catabolic role in adult human articular cartilage via regulation of multiple signaling pathways. Upon FGF-2 stimulation, a molecular crosstalk between the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and protein kinase C δ (PKCδ) pathways are initiated, where PKCδ positively regulates downstream MAPK signaling. In this study, we explored the relationship between fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1), Ras, and PKCδ in FGF-2 signaling in human articular chondrocytes. Pathway-specific inhibition using both chemical inhibitors and siRNA targeting FGFR1 demonstrated that, upon FGF-2 stimulation, FGFR1 controlled both Ras and PKCδ activation, which converged on the Raf-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 axis. No crosstalk was observed between Ras and PKCδ. Quantitative PCR analyses revealed that both Ras and PKCδ contributed to FGF-2-mediated upregulation of MMP-13, ADAMTS5, and repression of aggrecan gene. Correspondingly, FGF-2-mediated proteoglycan loss was effectively reversed by individual pathway-specific inhibitor of Ras, PKCδ, and ERK1/2 in both 3-dimensional alginate bead culture and cartilage organ culture systems. Our findings suggest that FGFR1 interacts with FGF-2 and then activates Ras and PKCδ, which concertedly drive MAPK signaling to mediate biological effects of FGF-2. Such an integration of dual inputs constitutes a novel mechanism of FGF-2 signaling cascade in human articular chondrocytes.

Painful decisions for senior pets

Osteoarthritis and cancer are the inevitable consequences of aging and significantly contribute to the cause of death in cats and dogs. Managing the pain associated with these disease states is the veterinarian’s mandate. Many treatment modalities and agents are available for patient management; however, it is only with an understanding of disease neurobiology and a mechanism-based approach to problem diagnosis that the clinician can offer patients an optimal quality of life based on evidence-based best medicine. When treating pain, knowledge is still our best weapon.

Characterization of human osteoarthritic cartilage using optical and magnetic resonance imaging

Purpose

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease starting with key molecular events that ultimately lead to the breakdown of the cartilage. The purpose of this study is to use two imaging methods that are sensitive to molecular and macromolecular changes in OA to better characterize the disease process in human osteoarthritic cartilage.

Procedures

Human femoral condyles were collected from patients diagnosed with severe OA during total knee replacement surgeries. T_1ρ and T₂ magnetic resonance measurements were obtained using a 3-Tesla whole body scanner to assess macromolecular changes in the damaged cartilage matrix. Optical imaging was performed on specimens treated with MMPSense 680 to assess the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. A linear regression model was used to assess the correlation of MMP optical data with T_1ρ magnetic resonance (MR) measurements. Slices from a representative specimen were removed from regions with high and low optical signals for subsequent histological analysis.

Results

All specimens exhibit high T_1ρ and T₂ measurements in the range of 48–75 ms and 36–69 ms, respectively. They also show intense photon signals (0.376 to 7.89 × 10⁻⁴ cm²) from the activated MMPSense 680 probe, indicative of high MMP activity. The analysis of variance test of the regression model indicates a positive correlation between the MMP optical signal and T_1ρ measurements (R² = 0.8936, P = 0.0044). Histological data also confirmed that regions with high MMP optical signal and intense T_1ρ relaxation exhibit severe clefting, abnormal tidemarks, and irregular cellularity.

Conclusions

The high T_1ρ and T₂ measurements suggest that there is a severe loss of proteoglycans with high water mobility in the damaged cartilage. The intense optical signals found in these specimens indicate the presence of active MMPs, and the positive correlation with T_1ρ measurements implicates MMP’s involvement in OA progression, characterized by a severe loss of proteoglycans in the cartilage matrix. The bimodal approach using optical and MR imaging may provide key molecular and macromolecular information of the disease pathway, offering insights toward the development of new tools for the early detection, treatment, and/or prevention of OA.

Administration, distribution, metabolism and elimination of polymer therapeutics

Polymer conjugation is an efficient approach to improve the delivery of drugs and biological agents, both by protecting the body from the drug (by improving biodistribution and reducing toxicity) and by protecting the drug from the body (by preventing degradation and enhancing cellular uptake). This review discusses the journey that polymer therapeutics make through the body, following the ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) concept. The biological factors and delivery system parameters that influence each stage of the process will be described, with examples illustrating the different solutions to the challenges of drug delivery systems in vivo.

Toll-like receptor adaptor signaling molecule MyD88 on intervertebral disk homeostasis: in vitro, ex vivo studies

MyD88 is an adapter protein that links toll-like receptors (TLRs) and Interleukin-1 receptors (IL-1Rs) with downstream signaling molecules. The MyD88 has been found to be an essential mediator in the development of osteoarthritis in articular cartilage. However, the role of the MyD88 pathway has yet to be elucidated in the intervertebral disk (IVD). Using in vitro techniques, we analyzed the effect of MyD88 pathway-specific inhibition on the potent inflammatory and catabolic mediator LPS and IL-1 in bovine and human nucleus pulposus (NP) cells by assessing matrix-degrading enzyme expression, including matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS family). We also analyzed inhibition of MyD88 in the regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase and TLR-2. Finally, we used an ex vivo organ culture model to assess the effects of MyD88 inhibitor (MyD88i) on catabolic factor-induced disk degeneration in mice lumbar disks. In bovine NP cells, MyD88i potently antagonizes LPS- or IL-1-mediated induction of cartilage-degrading enzyme production, including MMP-1, MMP-13, ADAMTS-4, and ADAMTS-5. MyD88i also attenuates the LPS- or IL-1-mediated induction of iNOS and TLR-2 gene expression. Our ex vivo findings reveal inhibition of MyD88 via counteraction of IL-1-mediated proteoglycan depletion. The findings from this study demonstrate the potent anti-inflammatory and anti-catabolic effects of inhibition of MyD88 pathway inhibition on IVD homeostasis, suggesting a potential therapeutic benefit of a MyD88i in degenerative disk disease in the future.

Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) regulates monocyte differentiation and functions in mBSA and IL-1β-induced arthritis

Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) plays an important role in the regulation of a variety of immune cells, including monocytes. We have previously shown that KLF2 inhibits proinflammatory activation of monocytes. However, the role of KLF2 in arthritis is yet to be investigated. In the current study, we show that recruitment of significantly greater numbers of inflammatory subset of CD11b(+)F4/80(+)Ly6C+ monocytes to the inflammatory sites in KLF2 hemizygous mice compared to the wild type littermate controls. In parallel, inflammatory mediators, MCP-1, Cox-2 and PAI-1 were significantly up-regulated in bone marrow-derived monocytes isolated from KLF2 hemizygous mice, in comparison to wild-type controls. Methylated-BSA and IL-1β-induced arthritis was more severe in KLF2 hemizygous mice as compared to the littermate wild type controls. Consistent with this observation, monocytes isolated from KLF2 hemizygous mice showed an increased number of cells matured and differentiated towards osteoclastic lineage, potentially contributing to the severity of cartilage and bone damage in induced arthritic mice. The severity of arthritis was associated with the higher expression of proteins such as HSP60, HSP90 and MMP13 and attenuated levels of pPTEN, p21, p38 and HSP25/27 molecules in bone marrow cells of arthritic KLF2 hemizygous mice compared to littermate wild type controls. The data provide new insights and evidences of KLF2-mediated transcriptional regulation of arthritis via modulation of monocyte differentiation and function.

Chemical proteomics: terra incognita for novel drug target profiling

The growing demand for new therapeutic strategies in the medical and pharmaceutic fields has resulted in a pressing need for novel druggable targets. Paradoxically, however, the targets of certain drugs that are already widely used in clinical practice have largely not been annotated. Because the pharmacologic effects of a drug can only be appreciated when its interactions with cellular components are clearly delineated, an integrated deconvolution of drug-target interactions for each drug is necessary. The emerging field of chemical proteomics represents a powerful mass spectrometry (MS)-based affinity chromatography approach for identifying proteome-wide small molecule-protein interactions and mapping these interactions to signaling and metabolic pathways. This technique could comprehensively characterize drug targets, profile the toxicity of known drugs, and identify possible off-target activities. With the use of this technique, candidate drug molecules could be optimized, and predictable side effects might consequently be avoided. Herein, we provide a holistic overview of the major chemical proteomic approaches and highlight recent advances in this area as well as its potential applications in drug discovery.

Interleukin-1 beta influences on lysyl oxidases and matrix metalloproteinases profile of injured anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament fibroblasts

PURPOSE

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is known to have a poor healing ability, especially in comparison with the medial collateral ligament (MCL) which can heal relatively well. Interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) is considered to be an important chemical mediator in the acute inflammatory phase of ligament injury. The role of IL-1β-induced expressions of lysyl oxidases (LOXs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which respectively facilitate extracellular matrix (ECM) repair and degradation, is poorly understood. In this study, we aim to determine the intrinsic differences between ACL and MCL by characterising the differential expressions of LOXs and MMPs in response to IL-1β in the injury process.

METHODS

Semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot, and zymography were performed.

RESULTS

We detected high expressions of IL-1β-induced LOXs in normal ACL and MCL. Then, we found IL-1β induced injured MCL to express more LOXs than injured ACL (up to 2.85-fold in LOX, 2.58-fold in LOXL-1, 1.89-fold in LOXL-2, 2.46-fold in LOXL-3 and 2.18-fold in LOXL-4). Meanwhile, we found IL-1β induced injured ACL to express more MMPs than injured MCL (up to 1.72-fold in MMP-1, 1.95-fold in MMP-2, 2.05-fold in MMP-3 and 2.3-fold in MMP-12). The further protein results coincided with gene expressions above.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower expressions of LOXs and higher expressions of MMPs might help to explain the poor healing ability of ACL.

Lactoferricin mediates anabolic and anti-catabolic effects in the intervertebral disc

Lactoferricin (LfcinB) antagonizes biological effects mediated by angiogenic and catabolic growth factors, in addition to pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in human endothelial cells and tumor cells. However, the effect of LfcinB on intervertebral disc (IVD) cell metabolism has not yet been investigated. Using bovine nucleus pulposus (NP) cells, we analyzed the effect of LfcinB on proteoglycan (PG) accumulation, PG synthesis, and anabolic gene expression. We assessed expression of genes for matrix-degrading enzymes such as matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS family), as well as their endogenous inhibitors, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteases (TIMPs). In order to understand the specific molecular mechanisms by which LfcinB exerts its biological effects, we investigated intracellular signaling pathways in NP cells. LfcinB increased PG accumulation mainly via PG synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. Simultaneously, LfcinB dose-dependently downregulated catabolic enzymes. LfcinB's anti-catabolic effects were further demonstrated by a dose-dependent increase in multiple TIMP family members. Our results demonstrate that ERK and/or p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways are the key signaling cascades that exert the biological effects of LfcinB in NP cells, regulating transcription of aggrecan, SOX-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-3, and iNOS. Our results suggest that LfcinB has anabolic and potent anti-catabolic biological effects on bovine IVD cells that may have considerable promise in the treatment of disc degeneration in the future.

Soluble VE-cadherin in rheumatoid arthritis patients correlates with disease activity: evidence for tumor necrosis factor α-induced VE-cadherin cleavage

OBJECTIVE

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that principally attacks synovial joints. However, accelerated atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are major clinical consequences of endothelial dysfunction in RA patients. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) is the major mediator of inflammation in RA, related to vascular injury by targeting VE-cadherin, an endothelium-specific adhesion molecule of vital importance for endothelium integrity and angiogenesis. We undertook this study to examine the mechanisms regulating VE-cadherin processing by TNFα and their occurrence in RA.

METHODS

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were used in primary culture and treated with recombinant TNFα to study VE-cadherin cleavage. Cell lysates and conditioned media were analyzed by Western blotting for VE-cadherin cytoplasmic domain and extracellular domain (VE-90) generation, respectively. VE-90 was analyzed at baseline and at the 1-year followup in sera from 63 RA patients (from the Very Early Rheumatoid Arthritis cohort) with disease duration of <6 months.

RESULTS

TNFα induced a time-dependent shedding of VE-90 in cell media. This effect was prevented by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (genistein and PP2) or by knocking down Src kinase. In contrast, tyrosine phosphatase blockade enhanced VE-cadherin cleavage, confirming the requirement of tyrosine phosphorylation processes. In addition, using the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activator APMA and the MMP inhibitor GM6001, we demonstrated that MMPs are involved in TNFα-induced VE-cadherin cleavage. Of major importance, VE-90 was detected in sera from the 63 RA patients and was positively correlated with the Disease Activity Score at baseline and after 1-year followup.

CONCLUSION

These findings provide the first evidence of VE-cadherin proteolysis upon TNFα stimulation and suggest potential clinical relevance of soluble VE-cadherin in management of RA.

Aggravation of ADAMTS and matrix metalloproteinase production and role of ERK1/2 pathway in the interaction of osteoarthritic subchondral bone osteoblasts and articular cartilage chondrocytes -- possible pathogenic role in osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

Degradative enzymes, such as A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), play key roles in development of osteoarthritis (OA). We investigated if crosstalk between subchondral bone osteoblasts (SBO) and articular cartilage chondrocytes (ACC) in OA alters the expression and regulation of ADAMTS5, ADAMTS4, MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-8, MMP-9, and MMP-13, and also tested the possible involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway during this process.

METHODS

ACC and SBO were isolated from normal and OA patients. An in vitro coculture model was developed to study the regulation of ADAMTS and MMP under normal and OA joint crosstalk conditions. The MAPK-ERK inhibitor PD98059 was applied to delineate the involvement of specific pathways during this interaction process.

RESULTS

Indirect coculture of OA SBO with normal ACC resulted in significantly increased expression of ADAMTS5, ADAMTS4, MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-9 in ACC, whereas coculture of OA ACC led to increased MMP-1 and MMP-2 expression in normal SBO. Upregulation of ADAMTS and MMP under these conditions was correlated with activation of the MAPK-ERK1/2 signaling pathway, and addition of the MAPK-ERK inhibitor PD98059 reversed the overexpression of ADAMTS and MMP in cocultures.

CONCLUSION

These results add to the evidence that in human OA, altered bidirectional signals between SBO and ACC significantly influence the critical features of both cartilage and bone by producing abnormal levels of ADAMTS and MMP. We have demonstrated for the first time that this altered crosstalk was mediated by the phosphorylation of MAPK-ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha activation decreases inflammatory and destructive responses in osteoarthritic cartilage

OBJECTIVE

Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α (PPARα) agonists are used in clinical practice as lipid-lowering drugs and are also known to exert anti-inflammatory effects on various tissues. We hypothesized that PPARα activation leads to anti-inflammatory and anti-destructive effects in human OA cartilage.

METHODS

Cartilage explants obtained from six OA patients were cultured for 48 h with 10 ng/ml interleukin (IL)1β as a pro-inflammatory stimulus. 100 μM Wy-14643, a potent and selective PPARα agonist, was added to the cultures and gene expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)1, MMP3, MMP13, collagen type II (COL2A1), aggrecan and PPARα in cartilage explants and the release of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) in the culture media were analyzed and compared to the control without Wy-14643.

RESULTS

Addition of Wy-14643 decreased mRNA expression of MMP1, MMP3 and MMP13 in cartilage explants that responded to IL1β, whereas Wy-14643 did not affect gene expression of COL2A1 and aggrecan. Wy-14643 also decreased secretion of inflammatory marker NO in the culture medium of cartilage explants responding to IL1β. Wy-14643 inhibited the release of GAGs by cartilage explants in culture media.

CONCLUSION

PPARα agonist Wy-14643 inhibited the inflammatory and destructive responses in human OA cartilage explants and did not have an effect on COL2A1 or aggrecan mRNA expression. These effects of PPARα agonists on osteoarthritic cartilage warrant further investigation of these drugs as a potential therapeutic strategy for osteoarthritis (OA).