. Objective and Design:
To examine whether inhibitors of the MAPK pathways will influence the response of bovine chondrocytes cultured in agarose constructs to IL-1β and dynamic compression.
Methods:
Dose-response studies were conducted under IL-1β conditions with either SB203580, SP600125, PDTC or curcumin. In separate experiments, constructs were treated with IL-1β and an appropriate concentration of inhibitor and subjected to 15% dynamic compression. Nitrite and PGE2 release, 35SO4 and [3H]-thymidine incorporation were subsequently measured using biochemical assays.
Results:
All inhibitors reduced the IL-1β induced nitrite and PGE2 release in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition of [3H]-thymidine incorporation by IL-1β was partially reversed with SB203580, SP600125 or curcumin, but not PDTC. In most cases, the inhibitors reduced 35SO4 incorporation with IL-1β. For the mechanical loading studies, the inhibitors reduced the compression-induced inhibition of nitrite and PGE2 release and restored [3H]-thymidine and 35SO4 incorporation.
Conclusions:
The MAPK, AP-1 and NF-κB signalling pathways are involved in the upregulation of NO and PGE2 release by IL-1β. Dynamic compression stimulates cell proliferation and proteoglycan synthesis in the presence of IL-1β and/or inhibitors of the MAPKs and NFκB and AP-1 signalling pathways. This experimental approach could provide valuable information for the biophysical/pharmacological treatment of OA.