title: Involvement of the p38 MAPK-NF-kappaB signal transduction pathway and COX-2 in the pathobiology of meniscus degeneration in humans.
abstract: Meniscal tears are attributed to either trauma or degeneration processes. Clinical data suggest that meniscal degeneration (MD) is associated with knee osteoarthritis; however, the molecular events underpinning the pathogenesis of MD in humans remain elusive. Here we immunohistochemically examined the expression of p38 MAPK, its phosphorylated/activated form (p-p38), its target NF-kappaB (p50-p65 dimer), and COX-2 in ruptured menisci and investigated their involvement in MD development. Our findings demonstrate increased expression of the p38-NF-kappaB axis elements and COX-2 in disintegrated fibrocartilage, suggesting a role of these molecules in the pathobiochemistry of MD and consequential rupture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Dionysios J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Papachristou
authors.forename: Eugenia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Papadakou
authors.forename: Efthimia K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Basdra
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baltopoulos
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Panagiotopoulos
authors.forename: Athanasios G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Papavassiliou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016328:NF-kappa B; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases