Induction of MMP-3 by hyaluronan oligosaccharides in temporomandibular joint chondrocytes.
Low-molecular-weight hyaluronan (LMW-HA) is often increased in osteoarthritic joints; however, its biological function in cartilage has not been clarified. We hypothesize that LMW-HA causes the catabolic activation of chondrocytes through its interaction with CD44. Cartilage explants and chondrocytes, derived from bovine temporomandibular joints (TMJ), were examined for matrix loss and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) following treatment with hyaluronan oligosaccharides (HA(oligos)). Hyaluronan and CD44 were uniformly distributed throughout the fibrous and cartilaginous zones of the TMJ condyle. Treatment of cartilage explants with HA(oligos) resulted in cartilage matrix loss with increased secreted caseinolytic activity. HA(oligos) treatment of TMJ chondrocytes resulted in enhanced MMP-3 expression, whereas wash-out of the HA(oligos) in the middle of the experimental period reduced this induction. These results suggest that HA(oligos) activate chondrocytes, resulting in a substantial enhancement of proteinase expression, and the removal of HA(oligos) by wash-out reverses this catabolic activation.
Ohno
S
S
Department of Biochemistry, Rush Medical College, Rush University Medical Center, 1653 W. Congress Parkway, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
Ohno-Nakahara
M
M
Knudson
C B
CB
Knudson
W
W
D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology; D002364:Caseins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D002417:Cattle; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000502:physiology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology
D002364:Caseins; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3