Stimulation of prostaglandin E2 synthesis in chondrocytes by a factor derived from activated macrophages

Effect of a interleukin-1 like factor (mononuclear cell factor) on proteoglycan synthesis in cultured human articular chondrocytes

A partially purified monocyte factor, with Interleukin-1 properties (MCF/IL-1), enhances the proteoglycan synthesis of human neonatal articular chondrocytes in culture, and changes the repartition of these macromolecules between medium and cell layer. The size of the proteoglycan monomers, the length of the glycosaminoglycan chains and the respective levels of chondroitin-6-sulfate, chondroitin-4-sulfate and non sulfated chondroitin remain unchanged under MCF/IL-1 exposures. The addition of indomethacin reduces the stimulation effect by 60-70% only, suggesting that the MCF/IL-1 action is partially dependent on prostaglandins but seems also related to mechanisms distinct from the cyclooxygenase pathway.

Effect of bisphosphonates on production of interleukin 1-like activity by macrophages and its effect on rabbit chondrocytes

Bisphosphonates are potent inhibitors of bone resorption, but their mode of action is still unknown. Since interleukin 1 (IL-1)-like activity has been shown to stimulate bone resorption in vitro, we have studied whether bisphosphonates inhibit either the production of IL-1-like activity or its effect on one type of connective tissue cell, chondrocytes. The production of IL-1-like activity was examined using rabbit peritoneal macrophages and the murine macrophage cell line P388D1, and the effect of IL-1-like activity was assessed by measuring the secretion of collagenase and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by rabbit chondrocytes. Production of IL-1-like activity was unaffected by bisphosphonates, whereas the effect of IL-1-like activity on collagenase and prostaglandin E2 secretion by rabbit chondrocytes was increased rather than inhibited by bisphosphonates. Finally, bisphosphonates increased DNA and cell number in chondrocyte cultures, but this effect was blocked when IL-1-like activity was added to the cultures. Thus, our results provide no evidence for a direct inhibitory effect of bisphosphonates on either the production of IL-1-like activity or the action of IL-1-like activity on chondrocytes.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and modulation of cartilaginous changes in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical implications

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have a potential for modifying the complex pathophysiologic events leading to cartilage destruction in various forms of arthritis. Following an evaluation of basic mechanisms in the pathogenesis of cartilaginous destructive lesions, the effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on normal chondrocyte metabolism are discussed. Their capacity to modulate cartilage and bone lesions in experimental forms of arthritis is addressed, as is the manner in which they may modify the pathophysiology of cartilage destruction in human forms of arthritis. Different classes of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs produce different effects in certain in vivo or in vitro settings.

Influence of macrophage products on the release of plasminogen activator, collagenase, beta-glucuronidase and prostaglandin E2 by articular chondrocytes

We describe the effects of products of mononuclear phagocytes on the secretory activity of chondrocytes. The primary confluent cultures of rabbit articular chondrocytes were exposed to standard medium alone or enriched with conditioned medium obtained from cultures of rabbit peritoneal macrophages, the mouse macrophage cell line P388D1 or human blood mononuclear cells. Four markers of release were assessed, the neutral proteinases plasminogen activator and collagenase, the acid hydrolase beta-glucuronidase and prostaglandin E2, and the kinetics of their changes were monitored. Chondrocytes that were cultured in standard medium secreted large amounts of plasminogen activator, some beta-glucuronidase, but no collagenase, and released only minor amounts of prostaglandin E2. The addition of conditioned medium from rabbit macrophages induced a rapid release of large quantities of prostaglandin E2 and an abundant secretion of collagenase, while abolishing or strongly decreasing plasminogen activator secretion. In addition, beta-glucuronidase secretion was markedly enhanced. The decrease in secretion of plasminogen activator appeared to reflect a diminished production, since no evidence was found for the generation of inhibitors or for an accelerated extracellular breakdown of the enzyme. Conditioned media of the mouse and human mononuclear cells influenced the secretory activities of rabbit articular chondrocytes in a similar way, suggesting that the factor (or factors) acting on chondrocytes is produced by a variety of macrophages, and that its action is not species-restricted. The time course and concentration-dependence of the effects observed indicate that the secretion of plasminogen activator and collagenase are influenced in a strictly reciprocal fashion by the macrophage products. The release of prostaglandin E2 paralleled that of collagenase.