Proteoglycan Metabolism In Cartilage Research Articles

AB0153 Effect and Mechanism of Intestinal Clostridium on the Development of Rheumatoid Arthritis

BackgroundThe study evaluated the relationship between conditioned pathogen clostridium and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) animal model.MethodsSPF DBA/1 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=6). Enema administration...

Metabolism of cartilage proteoglycans in health and disease.

Cartilage proteoglycans are extracellular macromolecules with complex structure, composed of a core protein onto which a variable number of glycosaminoglycan chains are attached. Their biosynthesis at the glycosaminoglycan level involves a great number of sugar transferases well-orchestrated in Golgi apparatus. Similarly, their degradation, either extracellular or intracellular in lysosomes, involves a large number of hydrolases. A deficiency or malfunction of any of the enzymes participating in cartilage proteoglycan metabolism may lead to severe disease state. This review summarizes the findings regarding this topic.

Blocking of Interleukin-17 during Reactivation of Experimental Arthritis Prevents Joint Inflammation and Bone Erosion by Decreasing RANKL and Interleukin-1

Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by an intermittent course of disease with alternate periods of remission and relapse. T cells, and in particular the T-cell cytokine interleukin-17 (IL-17), are expected to be involved in arthritic flares. Here, we report that neutralizing endogenous IL-17 during reactivation of antigen-induced arthritis prevents joint inflammation and bone erosion. Synovial IL-17 mRNA expression was clearly up-regulated during primary arthritis and was further enhanced after antigen rechallenge. Neutralization of IL-17 significantly prevented joint swelling at day 1 of flare and significantly suppressed joint inflammation and cartilage proteoglycan depletion at day 4, as assessed by histology. Blocking IL-17 also clearly reduced bone erosions. Cathepsin K, a marker of osteoclast-like activity, and synovial RANKL mRNA expression were both suppressed. The degree of bone erosions strongly correlated with the severity of joint inflammation, suggesting that anti-IL-17 treatment reduced bone erosion by suppressing joint inflammation. Interestingly, blocking IL-17 suppressed synovial expression of both IL-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, whereas blocking IL-1 did not affect tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels. These data indicate that IL-17 is an important upstream mediator in joint pathology during flare-up of experimental arthritis.

Profile and mechanisms of gastrointestinal and other side effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

The popular view that all nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) act by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins has been challenged by the discovery that they also affect a wide variety of cellular processes that are important for their therapeutic actions and side effects. Although recognition of the differential activities of new and established NSAIDs on the activities of the cyclooxygenases (COXs) affecting production of inflammatory prostaglandins (from COX-2) and those that are physiologically important (from COX-1) may have significance for the prostaglandin components of the underlying inflammatory and physiologic processes, there are important features of their chemical structures that determine the various cellular and biochemical actions of these agents. Several established NSAIDs have low propensity to cause gastrointestinal (GI) ulceration and bleeding that may relate to these drugs having unique pharmacokinetic characteristics (pro-drugs, protein binding, etc). They also have weak effects on the production of GI mucosal prostaglandins and have specific physicochemical characteristics such that they cause minimal damage to mucosal membranes or effects on nonprostaglandin-related cellular mechanisms important in mucosal defenses. Some of the new COX-2–selective drugs with methyl or amino-sulfonyl moieties have relatively high pKa values and other properties that are similar to established NSAIDs with low GI ulcerogenicity. These physicochemical properties may contribute to the low irritancy of the new COX-2–selective drugs quite apart from their sparing of COX-1 in the GI mucosa. With concerns that some established NSAIDs may accelerate cartilage destruction in osteoarthritis (OA), interest is now focusing on whether the COX-2–selective drugs may have a lower potential for this adverse effect by avoiding the inhibitory effects on cartilage proteoglycan metabolism seen with such drugs as indomethacin and the salicylates. Meloxicam appears to be without inhibitory effects on proteoglycan metabolism, but it remains to be seen if this translates into any beneficial actions on the progression of joint changes in OA observed radiologically or from magnetic resonance imaging.

Articular Cartilage Proteoglycan Metabolism in Avian Degenerative Joint Disease: Effects of Strain Selection and Body Weight

The effects of strain selection and body weight on proteoglycan metabolism and the onset of degenerative joint disease (D JD) were investigated in avian articular cartilage. Samples from the hock joint (proximal tarsometatarsus, PTM; distal tibiotarsus, DTT) of rapidly growing broiler fowl, fed either ad libitum or on a restricted-diet, were compared with those from a slow growing, light and non-selected strain (J-line). Synthesis and degradation of proteoglycans were investigated by radioactive pulse-chase studies, determination of total sulphated glycosaminoglycans and electrophoretic analysis. By gross morphology, degenerative changes in articular cartilage occurred solely in the DTT from ad libitum-fed broiler fowl, after 13 weeks. Differences in proteoglycan metabolism were also observed, most markedly in the DTT, where the rate of proteoglycan synthesis in the ad libitum-fed group was less than in age-matched J-line cartilage, and the proportions of both newly synthesised and resident proteoglycans released into the culture medium were greater. Results with the feed-restricted group were intermediate between ad libitumfed and J-line. Electrophoretic analysis of proteoglycans in the culture media showed evidence of degradation solely in the ad libitum-fed group, with earliest onset in the DTT. The results indicate that proteoglycan metabolism in avian articular cartilage is similar to that in mammalian cartilage during the development of DJD, and that the onset of cartilage degeneration is linked with excessive load bearing.

Mono-iodoacetate-induced experimental osteoarthritis: a dose-response study of loss of mobility, morphology, and biochemistry.

To characterize the dose-responsiveness of morphologic and biochemical chondral changes relative to mobility in mono-iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis (OA) in rats. Rat mobility was assessed by biotelemetry. Articular lesions were characterized by macroscopic and histologic examinations. Cartilage proteoglycan metabolism was evaluated by the 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue dye binding assay and by radiosulfate incorporation in patellar cartilage. Spontaneous locomotor activity was rapidly, transiently, and dose-dependently decreased after MIA injection into rat knees (primary response). Thereafter, only high doses (0.3 mg and 3.0 mg) led to a secondary progressive long-term loss of spontaneous mobility on day 15, when subchondral bone was exposed. These 2 doses resulted in significant changes in cartilage proteoglycan concentration at day 15 and a strong inhibition of anabolism in the peripheral patellae by day 2, contrasting with the effects of lower doses (0.01, 0.03, and 0.1 mg). When a sufficient dose of MIA is used, this model can easily and quickly reproduce OA-like lesions and functional impairment in rats, similar to that observed in human disease. These parameters, as well as proteoglycan metabolism, could serve as indicators for studying chondroprotective drugs, or for evaluating the ability of imaging techniques to detect and evaluate chondral lesions.

Articular cartilage destruction in experimental inflammatory arthritis: insulin-like growth factor-1 regulation of proteoglycan metabolism in chrondrocytes

Rheumatoid arthritis, a disease of unknown aetiology, is characterized by joint inflammation and, in its later stages, cartilage destruction. Inflammatory mediators may exert not only suppression of matrix synthesis but also cartilage degradation, which eventually leads to severe cartilage depletion. Systemically and locally produced growth factors and hormones regulate cartilage metabolism. Alterations in levels of these factors or in their activity can influence the pathogenesis of articular cartilage destruction in arthritic joints. The main topic of the present review is the role of the anabolic factor insulin-like growth factor-1 in the regulation of chondrocyte metabolic functions in normal and in diseased cartilage. This is the most important growth factor that balances chondrocytes proteoglycan synthesis and catabolism to maintain a functional cartilage matrix. A brief overview of how chondrocytes keep the cartilage matrix intact, and how catabolic and anabolic factors are thought to be involved in pathological cartilage destruction precedes the review of the role of this growth factor in proteoglycan metabolism in cartilage.

Effects of X Irradiation on Metabolism of Proteoglycans

The effects of X irradiation on matrix formation by growth-plate and articular chondrocytes, as reflected by metabolism of proteoglycans and type II collagen, were examined in a rabbit chondrocyte culture system. Irradiation with 1 to 10 Gy selectively inhibited synthesis of proteoglycans (incorporation of [35S]sulfate) depending on the stage of differentiation of the irradiated cells; however, synthesis of type II collagen was not affected. Irradiation of an immature culture, in which chondrocytes had just reached confluence, suppressed incorporation of [35S]sulfate into the glycosaminoglycan, 10 Gy inducing approximately 45-50% inhibition. In contrast, the irradiation of mature cultures, in which chondrocytes had already secreted extensive cartilage matrix, did not affect the rate of synthesis of proteoglycans (incorporation of [35S]sulfate). We also found that here irradiation stimulated the degradation of proteoglycans, but with the effect differing in growth-plate chondrocytes and articular chondrocytes. In growth-plate chondrocytes, cleavage from a site close to the G1 globular domain induced by 10 Gy enhanced the release of 35S-labeled proteoglycans into the medium, whereas in articular chondrocytes, irradiation had only marginal effects on the release of 35S-labeled proteoglycans. Our results show that irradiation with 1-10 Gy impaired proteoglycan metabolism in cartilage, with differing effects according to the stage of cell differentiation and the type of chondrocyte.

Role of interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-6 in cartilage proteoglycan metabolism and destruction. Effect of in situ blocking in murine antigen- and zymosan-induced arthritis.

To determine the involvement of interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and IL-6 in the cartilage pathology of murine antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) and zymosan-induced arthritis (ZIA). Arthritis was induced by intraarticular injection of zymosan in naive mice or by subcutaneous injection of methylated bovine serum albumin in sensitized animals. Mini-osmotic pumps releasing human recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) protein were implanted intraperitoneally 2 days before arthritis induction, and neutralizing antibodies directed against murine IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, TNF alpha, or IL-6 were administered 1 day before. Proteoglycan (PG) synthesis and degradation were assessed in patellar cartilage. Murine IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta injected intraarticularly at doses of 0.1-100 ng suppressed chondrocyte PG synthesis. The highest dose of TNF tested (100 ng) decreased PG synthesis marginally. In contrast, the maximum dose of IL-6 (1 microgram) stimulated PG synthesis 2 days after injection. Treatment of AIA with neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against either TNF alpha or IL-6 did not reduce either the PG degradation or the suppression of its synthesis. However, treatment with anti-IL-1 (alpha + beta) polyclonal antibodies totally prevented PG suppression, although the initial breakdown of PG was unaffected. This effect was confirmed when IL-1ra was administered in high doses. Moreover, treatment of ZIA with anti-IL-1 (alpha + beta), but not with anti-TNF, resulted in normal PG synthesis, confirming the key role played by IL-1 in the inhibition of PG synthesis. Treatment of AIA with anti-IL-1 did not affect inflammation during the acute phase, but a significant reduction of ongoing inflammation was noted at day 7, and there was a marked reduction in the loss of cartilage PG. The suppression of PG synthesis in both ZIA and AIA in mice is due to the combined local action of IL-1 (alpha + beta), and neither IL-6 nor TNF is involved. Moreover, the normalization of PG synthesis brought about by blocking of IL-1 ameliorates the cartilage damage associated with AIA.

A "coupled" subchondral bone-articular cartilage tissue culture system for the study of cartilage proteoglycan metabolism.

Current evidence suggests that interactions between the subchondral bone and the articular cartilage of mammalian diarthrodial joints may occur through the action of bone-associated peptide factors. However, there is no suitable organ culture model for studying these interactions. This study defines a long-term tissue culture system where the articular cartilage is coupled to the adjacent subchondral bone obtained from the proximal ends of bovine metacarpals. Autoradiography done over 3 mo., by utilizing [(35)S]SO4 incorporation into cartilage proteoglycan (PG) and a procedure for cutting non-decalcified bone, demonstrated similar numbers of silver grains over chondrocytes in all cartilage zones, including the bone-cartilage interface. Newly synthesized PG (NSPG) from the cartilage of the "coupled" system over a 3-wk period was primarily of large hydrodynamic size (Kav of 0.34). Comparable bovine articular and nasal cartilage slice systems, incubated for short periods of time, yielded similar and somewhat larger NSPG, respectively. Labeled chondroitin sulphate PG accumulating in the medium of primary chondrocyte monolayer cultures, derived from the cartilage of the coupled system at 0, 1, 2, and 3 wk, revealed two polydisperse subpopulations (Kav of 0.30 to 0.38 and 0.51 to 0.68). We conclude that this coupled bone-cartilage system is viable for prolonged periods, is suitable for studies on the metabolism of articular cartilage PGs, and seems to have some advantages over the cultured articular cartilage slice system.

Modulation of interleukin‐1–induced alterations in cartilage proteoglycan metabolism by activation of protein kinase C

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) stimulates proteoglycan degradation and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release and inhibits proteoglycan synthesis by cartilage in organ culture. Addition of the protein kinase C (PKC) activator, mezerein, resulted in the concentration-dependent inhibition of IL-1 activity on proteoglycan metabolism. Similar effects were seen with other compounds which stimulated PKC, such as teleocidin B4 and phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu), but not with a phorbol analog that is inactive in stimulating PKC. Simultaneous addition of the PKC antagonist, staurosporine, blocked the mezerein-induced inhibition of IL-1 activity on both proteoglycan degradation and synthesis in a concentration-related manner. In contrast to its inhibition of the effect of IL-1 on proteoglycan metabolism, mezerein did not block the release of PGE2 by cartilage in response to IL-1 but caused a synergistic stimulation of PGE2 release. Importantly, in cultures made deficient in PKC by prolonged incubation with PDBu, the effects of this PKC agonist on proteoglycan breakdown and PGE2 were blocked, while stimulation by IL-1 persisted. These data indicate that the effects of IL-1 on proteoglycan metabolism and prostaglandin production are mediated by an intracellular signal distinct from PKC and suggest that activation of PKC in chondrocytes may play a role in modulating the action of IL-1 on proteoglycan metabolism.

In vivo effects of interleukin‐1 on articular cartilage. Prolongation of proteoglycan metabolic disturbances in old mice

We investigated the effects of intraarticular injections of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) into the knee joints of young (3-month-old) and old (18-month-old) C57Bl/10 mice. In this in vivo study, 35S-sulfate incorporation and release were used to compare the effects of IL-1 on patellar cartilage proteoglycan metabolism. IL-1-induced stimulation of proteoglycan degradation was confined to the first 24 hours after injection in both young and old animals, and was only slightly lower in old cartilage than in young. In old patellar cartilage, IL-1-induced suppression of proteoglycan synthesis appeared to be more prolonged. Also, the amount of time needed to restore the cartilage matrix, characterized by proteoglycan synthesis above normal levels, was longer in old animals. Histologic analysis confirmed the retarded recovery in the cartilage of old mice. Autoradiography showed that the chondrocytes of the medial side of the femorotibial area were most vulnerable to IL-1-induced suppression of proteoglycan synthesis, especially the medial tibial plateau. As with the patellar cartilage, IL-1-induced suppression of proteoglycan synthesis in this area of articular cartilage was more prolonged in old animals. Our data indicated that the impact of IL-1 on articular cartilage is higher in old mice and that, consistent with certain loci found to be at risk in experimental osteoarthritis, there are sites at which IL-1 is more likely to act.

Effect of interleukin-1-beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha on cartilage proteoglycan metabolism in vitro.

The activities of recombinant interleukin-1-beta (IL-1) and recombinant tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) on cartilage proteoglycan metabolism were compared in an organ culture system. IL-1, 1 to 100 ng/ml, and TNF, 10 to 1,000 ng/ml, increased proteoglycan degradation. The concentration-response curves were parallel. The timecourse for degradation was similar for the two cytokines during a 6 day incubation. Both cytokines inhibited the synthesis of new proteoglycan as measured by 35S incorporation. The inhibition curves were parallel and concentration-related between 1 and 10 ng/ml for IL-1 and between 10 and 100 ng/ml for TNF. Maximal inhibition was 60% in the presence of IL-1 (10 ng/ml) or TNF (100 ng/ml), and plateaued at higher concentrations. IL-1 was ten fold more potent than TNF in stimulating proteoglycan breakdown and inhibiting proteoglycan synthesis. Degradation in response to TNF, but not to IL-1, could be blocked by a polyclonal antibody to TNF. A polyclonal antibody to IL-1 could block proteoglycan breakdown in response to both cytokines suggesting that TNF may be mediating proteoglycan degradation by inducing the production of interleukin-1.

Serum keratan sulfate levels in osteoarthritis patients.

Serum levels of keratan sulfate (KS), measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent-inhibition assay, were found to be significantly higher in 31 patients with hypertrophic osteoarthritis (OA) than those in 41 adults without joint disease. Seventy-seven percent of patients with OA, but only 12% of control subjects, had serum levels which were more than 1 SD above the mean of the control group. Following replacement of a single osteoarthritic hip joint, serum KS levels decreased, at first, in all patients. Subsequently, the concentration of serum KS progressively increased; 6 months following surgery, KS levels were similar or close to the preoperative levels in virtually all patients. The results suggest that patients with hypertrophic OA may have a generalized imbalance of cartilage proteoglycan metabolism. Measurements of serum KS are likely to prove most useful in studying this particular subset of patients with generalized OA.

COMPARISONS OF SERUM LEVELS OF KFRATAN SULFATE (KS) WITH HEIGHT IN AN OUTPATIENT PEDIATRIC POPULATION (GFNPFDS), CONSTITUTIONAL. GROWTH DELAY (CD), AND IN JUVENILE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (JRA)

We had previously reported that serum levels of KS increased from birth, reached a plateau between 6-11 years of age and then rapidly declined to levels which were maintained throughout normal adulthood. The purpose of this study was to determine if serum levels of KS were correlated with the percentile height in children in the 6-11 year old age range, using an ELISA with a monoclonal antibody 1/20/5-D-4 to KS. Sera were obtained from 33 GENPEDS whose records had been screened and who had no evidence of autoimmune disease. Levels of KS (ng/ml ± SD) were higher in taller children (≥75th percentile) than shorter children (≤25th percentile): 632±122 vs. 480±126, (p<.007). Fourteen children with CD (<5th percentile) had KS values of 414±118 which were not significantly different from the shorter group of GENPEDS, p=O.11. In contrast, the CD group had KS values significantly different from the ≥75th percentile GENPEDS, p=0.001. KS values in 10 JRA children, ages 6-11, of varying percentile height prior to any steroid treatment were low, i.e. 451±98. Another group of JRA children, on steroids, had an even lower KS value; 399±83. These studies suggest that KS values are correlated not only with the height of the child but may also reflect alterations in cartilage proteoglycan metabolism in JRA which is accentuated by prednisone.

Proteoglycan Metabolism in Cartilage Cultured with Retinoic Acid

Proteoglycan Metabolism in Cartilage Cultured with Retinoic Acid

Pathogenic mechanisms in osteochondrodysplasias.

We performed histochemical, immunohistochemical, electron-microscopic, and microchemical studies on cartilage growth plates from sixty-eight patients with nineteen different forms of human osteochondrodysplasia. Cartilage biopsies were obtained during orthopaedic procedures. Postmortem specimens were obtained within a short time after death. The combined morphological and biochemical studies revealed specific abnormalities suggestive of a particular biochemical defect in several chondrodysplasias. In pseudoachondroplasia, non-collagenous protein accumulated in the rough endoplasmic reticulum of chondrocytes and a proteoglycan species that normally is present in the extracellular matrix was not detected by gel electrophoresis. The accumulated material was stained with antibodies against the core protein of proteoglycan. This strongly suggested that in this syndrome an abnormal core protein of a proteoglycan species is not properly transferred to the Golgi system. In Kniest syndrome, intracytoplasmic accumulation of metachromatic material, dilatation of rough endoplasmic reticulum, and an abnormal gel-electrophoretic pattern of cartilage proteoglycans suggested an abnormality of cartilage proteoglycan metabolism. Abnormalities that probably are related to degradative lysosomal processes of proteoglycans in chondrocytes were found in spondylometaphyseal dysplasia of the Kozlowski type. An abnormal organization of type-II collagen was found in fibrochondrogenesis. In diastrophic dysplasia, an abnormal organization of collagen was found in areas of interterritorial matrix and around many degenerated cells, but also in the lacunae of cells without ultrastructural signs of degeneration. The segment-long-spacing form of collagen prepared from cartilage of three patients with diastrophic dysplasia showed an abnormal cross-striation pattern in a portion between bands 42 and 45, corresponding to the position of the alpha 1(II) cyanogen-bromide-derived 10,5 peptide. This suggested that in this syndrome there is a structural alteration of the type-II collagen molecule. There was an accumulation of intracellular lipid in pyknodysostosis and in hypochondrogenesis, and of glycoproteins in several atypical cases of spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia. In a pair of twins with an atypical form of spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, the presence of many multinucleated chondrocytes suggested a primary impairment of cell division. A knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms in osteochondrodysplasias might improve the classification; aid in diagnosis, prognosis, and genetic counseling; and contribute to the understanding of normal endochondral growth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Some further effects of prednisolone and triamcinolone hexacetonide on experimental arthritis in rabbits.

Prolonged treatment of rabbits with an established bilaterally symmetrical experimental arthritis with prednisolone (0.5 mg/kg day) reduced both the swelling and the histopathological changes in the arthritic joints whereas short-term treatment suppressed only the swelling. Such prolonged treatment also suppressed both the humoral and cell-mediated immune responses measured systemically in these animals and the cell-mediated immune responsiveness of the synovium determined by lymphokine production by cultured explants. The results suggested that the suppressive effect of the drug on the arthritis was related to the inhibition of cell-mediated immune responsiveness. Prednisolone treatment also had deleterious effect on cartilage proteoglycan metabolism determined both histologically and biochemically. Intra-articular administration of triamcinolone hexacetonide (three injections of 2 mg per joint at fortnightly intervals) also reduced the swelling and histopathological changes, although there was no effect on circulating antibody levels.