Abstract
Synoviocytes secrete factors which induce the synthesis of neutral metalloproteinases (NMP) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by chondrocytes in a response called “chondrocyte activation”. We analyzed synovial chondrocyte activating factors (CAF) for the presence of cytokines which modulated the NMP production by articular chondrocytes. These studies suggested the presence of several other cytokines in addition to interleukin-1 (IL-1). Both resting and activated synoviocytes contained mRNA for basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) which is a synergist for IL-1 induced NMP production, and secreted bFGF into their culture media. They also expressed mRNA for transforming growth factorβ (TGFβ) which inhibits IL-1 induced NMP production. These cells also produce tumor necrosis factorα (TNFα) and trace amounts of interleukin-6 (IL-6). In addition to these there is evidence for a synovial activator of chondrocytes which is distinct from IL-1. Since a number of recombinant cytokines including TNFα, IL-6 and bFGF failed to activate chondrocytes, this could be a novel cytokine.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
H. I. Georgescu, D. Mendelow and C. H. Evans,HIG-82: An established cell line from rabbit periarticular soft tissue, which retains the «activatable» phenotype. In Vitro24, 1015–1021 (1988).
K. Sung, D. Mendelow, H. I. Georgescu and C. H. Evans,Characterisation of chondrocyte activation in response to cytokines synthesised by a synovial cell line. Biochim. Biophys. Acta971, 148–156 (1988).
S. Chandrasekhar and A. K. Harvey,Transforming growth factor-β is a potent inhibitor of IL-1 induced protease activity and cartilage proteoglycan degradation. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.157, 1352–1359 (1988).
G. Bandara, C. W. Lin, H. I. Georgescu and C. H. Evans,The synovial synthesis of TGF-β and its consequences for chondrocyte activation. Trans. Orthop. Res. Soc.15, 313 (1990).
G. Bandara, C. W. Lin, H. I. Georgescu, D. Mendelow and C. H. Evans,Chondrocyte activation by interleukin-1: Analysis of the synergistic properties of fibroblast growth factor and phorbol myristate acetate. Arch. Biochem. Biophys.274, 539–547 (1989).
K. Phadke,Fibroblast growth factor enhances the interleukin-1 mediated chondrocyte protease release. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.142, 448–453 (1987).
S. P. Eisenberg, R. J. Evans, W. P. Arend, E. Verderber, M. T. Brewer, C. H. Hannum and R. C. Thompson,Primary structure and functional expression from complementary DNA of a human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. Nature (London)343, 341–346 (1990).
S. Gilman,Activation of rabbit articular chondrocytes by recombinant human cytokines. J. Rheum.14, 1002–1007 (1987).
R. A. D. Bunning and R. G. G. Russell,The effect of tumor necrosis factor α- and γ-interferon on the resorption of human articular cartilage and on the production of prostaglandin E and of caseinase activity of human articular chondrocytes. Arthritis Rheum.32, 780–784 (1989).
P. A. Guerne, B. L., Zuraw, J. H. Vaughan, D. A. Carson and M. Lotz,Synovium as a source of interleukin-6 in vitro. J. Clin. Invest.83, 585–592 (1989).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bandara, G., Georgescu, H.I., Lin, C.W. et al. Synovial activation of chondrocytes: Evidence for complex cytokine interactions. Agents and Actions 34, 285–288 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01993304
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01993304