Abstract

In recent years, studies have been initiated to disclose the proteome of human chondrocytes and cartilage. Despite these studies, comprehensive information of the chondrocyte proteome remains limited. This study aimed to further explore the proteome expressed by human knee chondrocytes, and to study the functional aspects of heat-shock protein 27 (HSP27), a protein related to the previously described alphaBcrystallin, in chondrocyte biology. Chondrocytes isolated from human knee articular cartilage were cultured in a three-dimensional alginate culture system. To simplify the protein mixtures, proteins extracted from chondrocyte cell lysates were fractionated based on hydrophobicity and molecular weight. Proteins were digested and the resulting peptides were separated and identified by an on-line two-dimensional (2-D) nanoliquid chromatography (nanoLC)-system coupled to a quadrupole time-of-flight (Qq-TOF) mass spectrometer. Differential expression analysis of HSP27 was performed by Western Blotting and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR). The effects of HSP27 on chondrocyte biology were explored by suppression of HSP27 expression induced by RNA interference (RNAi). In this study, we identified proteins with unknown functions together with membrane proteins, transcription factors and other low abundant proteins, which have not yet been described in chondrocytes. Based on previous knowledge on the related protein alphaBcrystallin, we selected HSP27 from the chondrocyte proteome database. Differential expression analysis revealed a decreased expression of HSP27 in Osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes. RNAi experiments revealed that HSP27 is involved in interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) induced IL-6 secretion. These findings highlight that small HSPs, especially HSP27, play a prominent role in the maintenance of human articular chondrocyte homeostasis.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.