• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.123-127
• /
• 2006

Background: Caveolin-1 is a principal component of caveolae membranes in vivo. Although expression of caveolae structure and expression of caveolin family, caveolin-1, -2 and -3, was known in chondrocytes, the functional role of caveolae and caveolins in chondrocytes remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of caveolin-1 in articular chondrocytes. Methods: Rabbit articular chondrocytes were prepared from cartilage slices of 2-week-old New Zealand white rabbits by enzymatic digestion. Caveolin-1 cDNA was transfected to articular chondrocytes using LipofectaminePLUS. The cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression levels were determined by immunoblot analysis, immunostaining, immunohistochemistry, and prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$ assay was used to measure the COX-2 activity. Results: Ectopic expression of caveolin-1 induced COX-2 expression and activity, as indicated by immunoblot analysis and $PGE_2$ assay. And also, overexpression of caveolin-1 stimulated activation of p38 kinase and ERK-1/-2. Inhibition of p38 kinase and ERK-1/-2 with SB203580 and PD98059, respectively, led to a dose-dependent decrease COX-2 expression and $PGE_2$ production in caveolin-1-transfected cells. Conclusion: Taken together, our data suggest that ectopic expression of caveolin-1 contributes to the expression and activity of COX-2 in articular chondrocytes through MAP kinase pathway.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.21 no.5
• /
• pp.364-370
• /
• 2013

Resveratrol (trans-3,4'-trihydroxystillbene), a naturally occurring polyphenolic antioxidant found in grapes and red wine, elicits diverse biochemical responses and demonstrates anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative effects in several cell types. Previously, resveratrol was shown to regulate differentiation and inflammation in rabbit articular chondrocytes, while the direct production of nitric oxide (NO) in these cells by treatment with the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) led to apoptosis. In this study, the effect of resveratrol on NO-induced apoptosis in rabbit articular chondrocytes was investigated. Resveratrol dramatically reduced NO-induced apoptosis in chondrocytes, as determined by phase-contrast microscopy, the MTT assay, FACS analysis, and DAPI staining. Treatment with resveratrol inhibited the SNP-induced expression of p53 and p21 and reduced the expression of procaspase-3 in chondrocytes, as detected by western blot analysis. SNP-induced degradation of I-kappa B alpha ($I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$) was rescued by resveratrol treatment, and the SN50 peptide-mediated inhibition of NF-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) activity potently blocked SNP-induced caspase-3 activation and apoptosis. Our results suggest that resveratrol inhibits NO-induced apoptosis through the NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway in articular chondrocytes.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.115-121
• /
• 2016

This study was conducted to examine the cellular regulatory mechanisms of sulfasalazine (SSZ) in rabbit articular chondrocytes treated with sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Cell phenotype was determined, and the MTT assay, Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining of type II collagen was performed in control, SNP-treated and SNP plus SSZ ($50{\sim}200{\mu}g/mL$) rabbit articular chondrocytes. Cellular proliferation was decreased significantly in the SNP-treated group compared with that in the control (p < 0.01). SSZ treatment clearly increased the SNP-reduced proliferation levels in a concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.01). SNP treatment induced significant dedifferentiation and inflammation compared with control chondrocytes (p < 0.01). Type II collagen expression levels increased in a concentration-dependent manner in response to SSZ treatment but were unaltered in SNP-treated chondrocytes (p < 0.05 and < 0.01, respectively). Cylooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression increased in a concentration-dependent manner in response to SSZ treatment but was unaltered in SNP-treated chondrocytes (p < 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed that SSZ treatment increased type II collagen expression compared with that in SNP-treated chondrocytes. Furthermore, phosphorylated extracellular regulated kinase (pERK) expression levels were decreased significantly in the SNP-treated group compared with those in control chondrocytes (p < 0.01). Expression levels of pERK increased in a concentration-dependent manner by SSZ but were unaltered in SNP-treated chondrocytes. pp38 kinase expression levels increased in a concentration-dependent manner by SSZ but were unaltered in control chondrocytes (p < 0.01). In summary, SSZ significantly inhibited nitric oxide-induced cell death and dedifferentiation, and regulated extracellular regulated kinases 1 and 2 and p38 kinase in rabbit articular chondrocytes.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.87-98
• /
• 2017

Objectives : The objective of present study is to evaluate anti-arthritic effects of dried pomegranate concentrate powders (PCP), Eucommiae Cortex aqueous (EC) and ethanolic (ECe) extracts, Achyranthis Radix aqueous (AR) and ethanolic (ARe) extracts on the primary cultured rat articular chondrocytes. Methods : MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium Bromide) assay was performed cytotoxic effect of test substances. In addition, anti-inflammatory effects were also observed on the lipopolysaccaride (LPS) treated chondrocytes through prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$ production and 5-lipoxygenase (LPO) activities, and inhibitory effects on metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 activities were observed on the recombinant human interleukin $(rhIL)-1{\alpha}$ treated chondrocytes with their extracellular matrix (ECM) related mRNA expressions - collagen type II, SOX9 and aggrecan. Results : As results, ECe and ARe showed obvious cytotoxicity against primary cultured rat articular chondrocytes at a dose level of 10 mg/ml, respectively. However, no obvious cytotoxic effects of PCP, EC and AR were demonstrated at a dose level of 10 mg/ml, on the primary cultured rat articular chondrocytes. In addition, treatment of LPS $50{\mu}g/ml$ induced significant increases of $PGE_2$ contents and 5-LPO activities indicating inflammatory responses of the primary cultured rat articular chondrocytes, and also decreases of cell viabilities, increases of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities with decreases of extracellular matrix (ECM) related collagen type II, SOX9 and aggrecan mRNA expressions were observed by treatment of $rhIL-1{\alpha}$ 50 ng/ml, suggesting damages on the primary cultured rat articular chondrocytes and related ECM degradations. However, these inflammatory responses and related ECM degradations were inhibited by pretreatment of all test substances, in order of PCP > ECe > ARe > EC > AR, and $rhIL-1{\alpha}$ induced chondrocytes deaths are inhibited by treatment in order of PCP > EC > AR > ECe > ARe. Conclusions : Taken together, it is expected that mixed formulation of PCP as main components with appropriate proportion of EC and AR as additional components will be achieved a potent alternative medicinal food for osteoarthritis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.197-204
• /
• 2017

In the present study, we tried to examine whether oleanolic acid regulates the activity, secretion and gene expression of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in primary cultured rabbit articular chondrocytes, as well as the production of MMP-3 in the knee joint of rat to evaluate the potential chondroprotective effect of oleanolic acid. Rabbit articular chondrocytes were cultured in a monolayer, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$)-induced gene expression of MMP-3, MMP-1, MMP-13, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS-4), ADAMTS-5 and type II collagen. In rabbit articular chondrocytes, the effects of oleanolic acid on IL-$1{\beta}$-induced secretion and proteolytic activity of MMP-3 were investigated using western blot analysis and casein zymography, respectively. The effect of oleanolic acid on in vivo MMP-3 protein production was also examined, after intra-articular injection to the knee joint of rat. The results were as follows: (1) oleanolic acid inhibited the gene expression of MMP-3, MMP-1, MMP-13, ADAMTS-4, and ADAMTS-5, but increased the gene expression of type II collagen; (2) oleanolic acid reduced the secretion and proteolytic activity of MMP-3; (3) oleanolic acid suppressed the production of MMP-3 protein in vivo. These results suggest that oleanolic acid can regulate the activity, secretion and gene expression of MMP-3, by directly acting on articular chondrocytes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.163-170
• /
• 2016

We examined whether apigenin affects the gene expression, secretion and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in primary cultured rabbit articular chondrocytes, as well as in vivo production of MMP-3 in the knee joint of rat to evaluate the potential chondroprotective effects of apigenin. Rabbit articular chondrocytes were cultured in a monolayer, and reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$)-induced expression of MMP-3, MMP-1, MMP-13, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS-4), and ADAMTS-5. In rabbit articular chondrocytes, the effects of apigenin on IL-$1{\beta}$-induced secretion and proteolytic activity of MMP-3 were investigated using western blot analysis and casein zymography, respectively. The effect of apigenin on MMP-3 protein production was also examined in vivo. In rabbit articular chondrocytes, apigenin inhibited the gene expression of MMP-3, MMP-1, MMP-13, ADAMTS-4, and ADAMTS-5. Furthermore, apigenin inhibited the secretion and proteolytic activity of MMP-3 in vitro, and inhibited production of MMP-3 protein in vivo. These results suggest that apigenin can regulate the gene expression, secretion, and activity of MMP-3, by directly acting on articular chondrocytes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.239-245
• /
• 2014

We investigated whether luteolin affects the gene expression, secretion and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in primary cultured rabbit articular chondrocytes, as well as production of MMP-3 in the rat knee to evaluate the potential chondroprotective effects of luteolin. Rabbit articular chondrocytes were cultured in a monolayer and IL-$1{\beta}$-induced gene expression levels of MMP-3, MMP-1, MMP-13, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS-4), ADAMTS-5 and type II collagen were measured by reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Effects of luteolin on interleukin- $1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$)-induced secretion and enzyme activity of MMP-3 in rabbit articular chondrocytes were investigated by western blot analysis and casein zymography, respectively. The effect of luteolin on MMP-3 protein production was also examined in vivo. The results were as follows: (1) luteolin inhibited the gene expression levels of MMP-3, MMP-1, MMP-13, ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5. However, it increased the gene expression level of collagen in rabbit articular chondrocytes; (2) luteolin inhibited the secretion and activity of MMP-3; (3) luteolin inhibited in vivo production of MMP-3 protein. These results suggest that luteolin can regulate the gene expression, secretion and activity of MMP-3, by directly acting on articular chondrocytes.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.534-541
• /
• 2011

Retinoic acid (RA), a metabolite of vitamin A, is known to regulate dedifferentiation of rabbit articular chondrocytes. The regulatory mechanism of dedifferentiation by RA is not yet understood. Thus, the effect of RA on the regulation of nitric oxide (NO)-induced dedifferentiation was investigated in rabbit articular chondrocytes. RA caused loss of the differentiated chondrocyte phenotype as demonstrated by inhibition of type II collagen expression and proteoglycan synthesis. RA also accelerated NO-induced dedifferentiation in rabbit articular chondrocytes as detected by expression of type II collagen and Sox-9 using Western blot analysis and production of sulfated proteoglycan using Alcain blue staining. Further, RA potentiated NO-induced activation of ERK. Inhibition of ERK with PD98059 (PD) recovered the expression of type II collagen and Sox-9 and production of sulfate proteoglycan in NO-induced dedifferentiated chondrocytes by RA treatment. Our findings suggest that RA accelerates NO-induced dedifferentiation of rabbit articular chondrocytes via the ERK pathway.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.349-353
• /
• 2009

Lysophosphatidic Acid (LPA) is a bioactive lysophospholipid that is a potent signaling molecule able to provoke a variety of cellular responses in many cell types such as differentiation, inflammation and apoptosis. In this study, we have investigated the effect of LPA on Nitric oxide (NO)-induced apoptosis in rabbit articular chondrocytes. LPA dramatically reduced NO induced apoptosis of chondrocytes determined by phase contrast microscope and MTT assay. When chondrocytes alone treated with LPA, LPA induced phosphorylation of p70S6kinase, a serine/threonine kinase that acts downstream of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3) and phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1) in the PI3 kinase pathway, dose-dependently detected by Western blot analysis. Phosphorylation of p70S6k with LPA was reduced expression of p53 in NO-induced apoptosis of chondrocytes. Also, inhibition of p70S6kinase with rapamycin was enhanced expression of p53 in chondrocytes. Our findings collectively suggest that LPA regulates NO induced apoptosis through p70S6kinase pathway in rabbit articular chondrocytes.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.6 no.4
• /
• pp.204-210
• /
• 2006

Background: Nitric oxide (NO) in articular chondrocytes regulates dedifferentiation and inflammatory responses by modulating MAP kinases. In this study, we investigated whether the Src kinase in chondrocytes regulates NO-induced dedifferentiation and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. Methods: Primary chondrocytes were treated with various concentrations of SNP for 24 h. The COX-2 and type II collagen expression levels were determined by immunoblot analysis, and prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$ was determined by using a $PGE_2$ assay kit. Expression and distribution of p-Caveolin and COX-2 in rabbit articular chondrocytes and cartilage explants were determined by immunohistochemical staining and immunocytochemical staining, respectively. Results: SNP treatment stimulated Src kinase activation in a dose-dependent manner in articular chondrocytes. The Src kinase inhibitors PP2 [4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidine], a significantly blocked SNP-induced p38 kinase and caveolin-1 activation in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, to determine whether Src kinase activation is associated with dedifferentiation and/or COX-2 expression and $PGE_2$ production. As expected, PP2 potentiated SNP-stimulated dedifferentiation, but completely blocked both COX-2 expression and $PGE_2$ production. And also, levels of p-Caveolin and COX-2 protein expression were increased in SNP-treated primary chondrocytes and osteoarthritic and rheumatoid arthritic cartilage, suggesting that p-Caveolin may playa role in the inflammatory responses of arthritic cartilage. Conclusion: Our previously studies indicated that NO caused dedifferentiation and COX-2 expression is regulated by p38 kinase through caveolin-1 (1). Therefore, our results collectively suggest that Src kinase regulates NO-induced dedifferentiation and COX-2 expression in chondrocytes via p38 kinase in association with caveolin-1.