title: Modulation of human chondrocyte metabolism by recombinant human interferon gamma: in-vitro effects on basal and IL-1-stimulated proteinase production, cartilage degradation and DNA synthesis.
abstract: Human articular chondrocytes in monolayer culture and fragments of human articular cartilage were treated with recombinant human interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) both alone and in combination with interleukin 1 (IL-1). IFN-gamma alone inhibits metalloproteinase production, as measured in the caseinase assay, and decreases glycosaminoglycan release from cartilage fragments in culture. The synthesis of DNA, as measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation, is stimulated by IFN-gamma. Similar effects are seen in the presence of IL-1. Thus, IFN-gamma opposes the stimulatory effect of IL-1 on caseinase production and decreases IL-1-stimulated cartilage degradation, as measured by glycosaminoglycan release. In contrast, IFN-gamma has no effect on IL-1-stimulated prostaglandin production, and acts synergistically with IL-1 to cause a large stimulation of DNA synthesis. These results show that IFN-gamma has a number of effects on articular chondrocytes in-vitro and suggest a possible role for IFN-gamma in limiting cartilage degradation in inflammatory joint conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Metabolism and Clinical Biochemistry, University of Sheffield Medical School, U.K.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bunning
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Dinarello
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Russell
mesh_terms: D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D004247:DNA; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases