Activation of transcription factor NF-kappa B in human synovial cells in response to tumor necrosis factor alpha

Fibronectin fragment mediated cartilage chondrolysis. I. Suppression by anti-oxidants

Fibronectin fragments damage cartilage in vitro by greatly enhancing metalloproteinases and suppressing proteoglycan (PG) synthesis which results in severe cartilage PG depletion. Since reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in catabolic cytokine action and preliminary data suggested that catabolic cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6 are responsible for fibronectin fragment mediated damage, selected anti-oxidants (AOs) were tested as inhibitors of cytokine. ROS and fibronectin fragment activity. Damage was measured by depletion of cartilage PG during tissue culture. The AO, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), decreased the extent of cartilage PG depletion caused by TNF-alpha and IL-1 alpha and by the ROS, hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion, confirming that the cytokines operate through ROS and that ROS can initiate cartilage PG depletion. NAC at 0.1 and 1 mM, totally suppressed PG depletion caused by a highly potent amino-terminal 29-kDa fibronectin fragment (Fn-f) for 14 days in culture. NAC at 10 mM totally blocked Fn-f mediated PG depletion for 21 days and increased the cartilage PG content by 30% above normal levels. Glutathione (10 microM) and DMSO (1%) were also totally effective while catalase and superoxide decreased Fn-f mediated damage only during the first week and superoxide dismutase alone caused damage after 1 wk. The AOs caused protection by reducing the major catabolic activities of the Fn-f: enhanced release of stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) and suppression of PG and protein synthesis. NAC also decreased normal rates of PG degradation and increased the half-lives of labeled PG in both control and Fn-f treated cartilage. We conclude that the Fn-f mediates cartilage chondrolysis through ROS, consistent with the involvement of catabolic cytokines in the Fn-f mechanism, and that AOs greatly reduce Fn-f mediated cartilage chondrolysis. In an accompanying manuscript we also report that AOs promote reparative responses in Fn-f and cytokine treated cartilage.

Human T lymphotropic virus type I in arthropathy and autoimmune disorders

The progressive nature of the disease and the persistent inflammation affecting various organs are common features of idiopathic autoimmune disorders of unknown etiology. Therefore, the HTLV-I-associated disorders described in the present review are outstandingly important models for our understanding of the pathologic mechanisms of organ-specific immune disorders. HTLV-I arthropathy is characterized by chronic inflammatory and proliferative synovitis with lymphoid follicles and pannus formation in the affected joints, indistinguishable from the findings in idiopathic RA. The presence of the tax gene in HTLV-I-negative SS patients suggests that it is responsible for the exocrine gland abnormality, characterized by extensive lymphoproliferative epithelial lesions. Furthermore, the pulmonary lesions of HTLV-I bronchopneumonopathy are similar to those of idiopathic interstitial pneumonitis. Based on these observations, the clinical findings associated with the immunologic abnormalities in HTLV-I-infected patients provide us with valuable information for understanding the pathogenetic mechanisms of chronic inflammatory conditions associated with immune regulatory disorders. Although the clinical and pathologic features of the 2 common HTLV-I-associated disorders, ATL and HAM/TSP, have been well characterized and are clearly distinguishable from those of the idiopathic forms of these disorders, other HTLV-I-related autoimmune diseases, e.g., arthropathy, SS, or bronchopneumonopathy, are clinically indistinguishable from the idiopathic forms of the diseases. Such similarity may serve as a clue to the pathogenetic mechanisms of idiopathic autoimmune disorders.

HTLV-I arthropathy and Sjögren syndrome

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) was initially detected as the causative agent of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). However, recent studies have revealed that HTLV-I may disrupt the immune system and lead to the development of rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren syndrome. A current study in our laboratory has revealed that HTLV-I tax gene, known as the transregulatory gene, contributes not only to the induction of synovial cell hyperplasia but also the immune response, both in vivo and in vitro. In this report, the role of HTLV-I in the pathogenesis of chronic destructive arthropathy and Sjögren syndrome is discussed.